You're not going to find many people around here with less love for the SEC's hegemonic dominance over college football than me. That doesn't change the fact that it exists. Notre Dame might win the game, but it'll be in spite of significant indicators that they shouldn't have.

 

What indicators are there that show that Notre Dame shouldn't be able to win? The fact that Bama barely beat a team very similar to Notre Dame in LSU? The fact that Bama lost at HOME to a redshirt freshman QB? The fact that even though Bama is in the SEC, they still didn't play as many teams who will be in bowl games this year? What about the fact that the two teams who played for the SEC title actually avoided playing all the top teams in the SEC and only had a couple of them. I am an SEC guy myself however people act like since they are in the SEC they are playing all the top SEC teams all the time. Yet Georgia and Bama really only played two of the other top SEC teams until the SEC Championship game. While Notre Dame played more bowl teams, another team in Stanford who is in a BCS bowl, and Oklahoma who would have been in a BCS bowl if not for the rule that allows a team like Northern Illinois to be automatically in.

 

The only real indicator that people can say for why Bama will win is the eye test. Which we all know the eye test is a bad indicator too, the Oregon/Stanford game is an example of that. The eye test said no way Stanford wins or holds Oregon to less than 20 points. Bama could end up winning and who knows may end up winning pretty comfortable, we shall see. However Notre Dame does deserve to be here, and have shown they are just as capable of winning this game as Bama.

For you that are really young there was a t-shirt in the 80s for the ND/Miami game that said "Catholics vs Convicts."

 

2012/13 version:

What indicators are there that show that Notre Dame shouldn't be able to win? The fact that Bama barely beat a team very similar to Notre Dame in LSU? The fact that Bama lost at HOME to a redshirt freshman QB? The fact that even though Bama is in the SEC, they still didn't play as many teams who will be in bowl games this year? What about the fact that the two teams who played for the SEC title actually avoided playing all the top teams in the SEC and only had a couple of them. I am an SEC guy myself however people act like since they are in the SEC they are playing all the top SEC teams all the time. Yet Georgia and Bama really only played two of the other top SEC teams until the SEC Championship game. While Notre Dame played more bowl teams, another team in Stanford who is in a BCS bowl, and Oklahoma who would have been in a BCS bowl if not for the rule that allows a team like Northern Illinois to be automatically in.

 

The only real indicator that people can say for why Bama will win is the eye test. Which we all know the eye test is a bad indicator too, the Oregon/Stanford game is an example of that. The eye test said no way Stanford wins or holds Oregon to less than 20 points. Bama could end up winning and who knows may end up winning pretty comfortable, we shall see. However Notre Dame does deserve to be here, and have shown they are just as capable of winning this game as Bama.

 

Perhaps another indicator is the talent test. Alabama has 10 players that are projected to be drafted in the first 2 rounds of the NFL draft in the next two years. Notre Dame has 4. Three of the 4 for ND are Teo and 2 defensive linemen, so we can see why their defense has been so good.

Can Notre Dame's D hold up for the entire game against the pressure of the Alabama rushing attack?

Can Alabama score early enough to put pressure on ND to score?

 

I look for some trickeration in this game (ala Boise St) to try to get some cheap 1st downs and demoralize a Bama D that isn't has good as the last 4 years and in subject to hang their heads a little when things go bad.

 

I think this will be a very good game, but by all that is right in this world I can't root for the Irish...Go Bama Roll Tide!!!

Can Notre Dame's D hold up for the entire game against the pressure of the Alabama rushing attack?

Can Alabama score early enough to put pressure on ND to score?

 

I look for some trickeration in this game (ala Boise St) to try to get some cheap 1st downs and demoralize a Bama D that isn't has good as the last 4 years and in subject to hang their heads a little when things go bad.

 

I think this will be a very good game, but by all that is right in this world I can't root for the Irish...Go Bama Roll Tide!!!

\

Instead of trickeration, the irish are going with Rosaries and Novenas.

For you that are really young there was a t-shirt in the 80s for the ND/Miami game that said "Catholics vs Convicts."

 

2012/13 version:

 

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To be honest, this shirt speaks what I think is the truth

Is it possible that Bama will be the third top SEC team (LSU, Florida) to go down? I do think they will be a tad more motivated than the other two, however.

Bama wins going away, Kelly looks to NFL after the game with a surprise announcement.

Alabama 24-17.

Is it possible that Bama will be the third top SEC team (LSU, Florida) to go down? I do think they will be a tad more motivated than the other two, however.

 

I certainly hope this is the case!

I look for ND to keep it close into the 2nd half, maybe even take an early lead. Bama's dominate O-line will eventually wear down ND and the Tide will get their 3rd Championship in four years. ND has played some good teams but they have not seen a line like they will Monday night

 

Alabama 27

ND 13

ND 24 Bama 23

Tide 31

 

Irish 14

 

Bama with three rushing TD's, two in the first half...

Crap, I just now voted but I accidentally hit Notre Dame.