Jan 7 | BCS National Championship | Alabama

[no.1IrishFan]

Will it be the same Pac-12 officials that handed the game to ND when Stanford was about to go in for the winning score?

Those bastards!!! They acted like forward progress had been stopped like 17 times, when it was clearly only stopped MAYBE 13 times.

 

[ahommell]

My Assessment of the Saban Factor in Alabama Bowl Games since the 2008 season

Utah JAN 2009: Bama gets blasted by a spread offense with a true dual threat QB. Makes a late rally but loses by 2 scores.
Saban Impact: Negative

Texas JAN 2010: McCoy gets hurt on the first series. Texas backup after a rocky period of getting settled in is able to move the ball against the Bama D and throws for a couple of TDs. Bama wins behind superior ground game.
Saban Impact: Neutral

Michigan State JAN 2011: Bama absolutely demolishes an 11-1 Big Ten. Note: The Big 10 outside of Ohio State stinks and Ohio State stinks too sometimes. Saban Impact: Positive

LSU JAN 2012: Bama comes out with a great game plan throwing the football against LSU. Although they have to settle for a lot of FGs they get the LSU D off balance. On defense they complete shutdown LSU, partially because Les Miles offense is predictable as was mentioned.
Saban Impact: Positive
Les Miles Impact: Negative

I think this would show Saban is really good but not some god-like force. The 08 and 09 bowl games where nothing that should go down in college football lore. Last year's game was compounded by bad coaching from LSU.

Les Miles is the guy that calls a time out before the kickoff of the second half and says to himself, "By golly these fools won't see it coming!"

Saban is no god, but he is a guy who can get the most out of his players. I wouldn't worry about the coaching intangibles as much as the players right now. BK seems on his game in interviews as if it is a normal week. If this continues up until game time, I don't think the coaching will be as much as these players strapping it up and running the same game plan they have all season.

Look for more of the same.

 

[chicago51]

Will it be the same Pac-12 officials that handed the game to ND when Stanford was about to go in for the winning score?

Again that was not the winning score. A Standford TD an extra point would have only tied the game! Even if you are 100% convinced that he got in (to me forward progress had been stopped) that does not mean ND would have lost. There would have been another OT.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Again that was not the winning score. A Standford TD an extra point would have only tied the game! Even if you are 100% convinced that he got in (to me forward progress had been stopped) that does not mean ND would have lost. There would have been another OT.

Italics = sarcasm. NDinMich is well aware of that.

 

[chicago51]

Italics = sarcasm. NDinMich is well aware of that.

Sorry NDinMich

 

[ThePiombino]

CBS Sports straight up picks:

 

[johnnykillz]

The Bama fans here are so confident. I hope their players overlook us as well.

I recall Utah putting one on them. Just not too long ago.

 

[ahommell]

The prediction machine has a similar record to the other pickers.

Almost sad really.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I don't think the coaching will be as much as these players strapping it up and running the same game plan they have all season.

That's pretty much my view also. Neither coach is an X's & O's marvel. That's not how they've earned their reps or achieved so much success. They do it by motivating players to play at their best, and with very fundamentally sound football. The game won't be won or lost by exotic schemes. It'll be won by execution and toughness.

 

[NDinMich]

Sorry NDinMich

No problem. I use sarcasm so much, it's like my second language.

Nice job with the Saban factor (no italics). Interesting to see that the 'master planner' Saban isn't such a master all the time. Anybody know if BK gets a long time to plan for the game too?

 

[koonja]

Alabama Crimson Tide's Quinton Dial won't face suspension for hit - ESPN

 

[Bogtrotter07]

It is all on another thread.

 

[domerdude]

It is all on another thread.

 

[Rocky2820]

CBS Sports straight up picks:

Surprised that these picks aren't more pro-Bama given that CBS Sports is home to the SEC.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Just watched Regis on First Take. Powerless, I had to peek at the comments underneath the video. Now I remember why my account on ESPN was banned over a year ago.

 

[TidePride]

I think this game comes down to a couple things...1) Can Notre Dame be balanced enough to keep Bama on their heels? 2) Can Notre Dame keep Bama's ground game to minimal carries for 4qrts?

Since Saban has been coaching at Bama the only teams that have beat them are well balanced spread teams that keep them guessing. I don't think they've given up maybe 5-6 100yrd rushers in 5 years Notre Dame will have to throw to win.

I know Notre Dame has a good front 7 but how good is the 2-3 deep? Because those guys won't last 4qrts against Bama's offensive line and those bruising running backs. That is Bama's game and it's no secret pound you into submission then when a team stacks the box throw it over their head with play action. Notre Dames bench will have to play great to win.


I see this game being a slugfest until midway of the 3rd or beginning the 4th then quality depth will take over. Now it may sound like I don't respect the Irish that's not so.... I believe Notre Dame is a good team I just don't think they have the depth to last with a heavyweight like Bama 4qrts.

Bama 27
Notre Dame 13

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The Bama fans here are so confident. I hope their players overlook us as well.

I recall Utah putting one on them. Just not too long ago.

Bama had "nothing to play for" in that game is the general sentiment.

Nevermind they hadn't played for a title in about 20 years at that point, a one loss Bama team playing in the paltry Sugar Bowl "didn't matter to the players or fans." I'm sure the attitude would be different if the outcome was different.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I think this game comes down to a couple things...1) Can Notre Dame be balanced enough to keep Bama on their heels? 2) Can Notre Dame keep Bama's ground game to minimal carries for 4qrts?

Since Saban has been coaching at Bama the only teams that have beat them are well balanced spread teams that keep them guessing. I don't think they've given up maybe 5-6 100yrd rushers in 5 years Notre Dame will have to throw to win.

I know Notre Dame has a good front 7 but how good is the 2-3 deep? Because those guys won't last 4qrts against Bama's offensive line and those bruising running backs. That is Bama's game and it's no secret pound you into submission then when a team stacks the box throw it over their head with play action. Notre Dames bench will have to play great to win.


I see this game being a slugfest until midway of the 3rd or beginning the 4th then quality depth will take over. Now it may sound like I don't respect the Irish that's not so.... I believe Notre Dame is a good team I just don't think they have the depth to last with a heavyweight like Bama 4qrts.

Bama 27
Notre Dame 13

It's not a matter of respect, it's a matter of over-valuing your team. Your whole post is "Can ND do this?" "Can ND do that?" What exactly does Bama have to do to win? Show up and that's it?

I digress. The dissmissive attitude most people have about ND's chances has been good motivation for the program. Good luck, and I hope CNS and his team are preparing for a war, because we certainly are.

 

[TidePride]

It's not a matter of respect, it's a matter of over-valuing your team. Your whole post is "Can ND do this?" "Can ND do that?" What exactly does Bama have to do to win? Show up and that's it?

I digress. The dissmissive attitude most people have about ND's chances has been good motivation for the program. Good luck, and I hope CNS and his team are preparing for a war, because we certainly are.

Well IMHO this game is a "Can Notre Dame" they're not 10 point dogs because they can win by playing their game. I think Notre Dame has a good team but it's a team of 30-40 quality guys because Kelly hasn't been there long enough to recruit a team that can match Bama's depth. I believe it will be the war you're talking about just a short lived one or until the 2's and 3's come in.


Bama is an SEC team that hasn't recruited outside the top 2-3 in 5 years and CBK may get the Irish there one day right now they're not.

 

[arrowryan]

Well IMHO this game is a "Can Notre Dame" they're not 10 point dogs because they can win by playing their game. I think Notre Dame has a good team but it's a team of 30-40 quality guys because Kelly hasn't been there long enough to recruit a team that can match Bama's depth. I believe it will be the war you're talking about just a short lived one or until the 2's and 3's come in.


Bama is an SEC team that hasn't recruited outside the top 2-3 in 5 years and CBK may get the Irish there one day right now they're not.

We have this named Everett Golson. He plays a similar game to Johnny Football, the only difference is that I think Golson is a better passer. There are a lot of holes in your analysis. You didn't mention the play of Theo Riddick or Tyler Eifert. If you want to double team Eifert then Riddick will get 1 on 1 all day, Riddick will win that 10 times out of 10. If you don't double team Efiert well then good luck with that

 

[koonja]

I agree with TidePride about the depth questions. That's my biggest concern about playing Alabama. I think we can move the ball on them enough to score ~24 points. Their passing game doesn't scare me at all. They're a one-trick pony with #9, and if you saw the job our DBs did on Woods and Marquese Lee (two better receivers), we're fine there. But our lack of quality depth on the DL scares me. Kona, Springman, and Day have to go HAM in order for us to win.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Well IMHO this game is a "Can Notre Dame" they're not 10 point dogs because they can win by playing their game. I think Notre Dame has a good team but it's a team of 30-40 quality guys because Kelly hasn't been there long enough to recruit a team that can match Bama's depth. I believe it will be the war you're talking about just a short lived one or until the 2's and 3's come in.

Bama is an SEC team that hasn't recruited outside the top 2-3 in 5 years and CBK may get the Irish there one day right now they're not.

First, you're absolutely right. If ND loses, it'll probably be due to 'Bama's superior depth in the trenches.

Second, Saban maintains that depth through aggressive, borderline unethical roster management practices that ND will never emulate. So if you expect "respect" for 'Bama's depth here, you're going to be disappointed.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

First, you're absolutely right. If ND loses, it'll probably be due to 'Bama's superior depth in the trenches.

Second, Saban maintains that depth through aggressive, borderline unethical roster management practices that ND will never emulate. So if you expect "respect" for 'Bama's depth here, you're going to be disappointed.

An up-tempo offense could disrupt the depth disparity. Hope the offense hurries up to trim mass substitutions, or at least keep some guys off the field more than normal.

Double-edged sword though. Quick 3 and outs and turnovers will obviously spell doom. High risk, high reward

 

[Grahambo]

Alabama fans need to quit putting Alabama on some high and mighty pedestal.

Anyone remember the time Alabama went undefeated? I do. 2009.

Anyone remember the time Alabama lost? I do. This year.

Are they good? Yes. Are the beatable? Absolutely. Can ND do it? Most certainly can. Will they? Well, that's why they play the game on January 7th.

 

[WaveDomer]

Alabama fans need to quit putting Alabama on some high and mighty pedestal.

Anyone remember the time Alabama went undefeated? I do. Last year.

Anyone remember the time Alabama lost? I do. This year.

Are they good? Yes. Are the beatable? Absolutely. Can ND do it? Most certainly can. Will they? Well, that's why they play the game on January 7th.

They didn't even go undefeated last year. I wonder how good Texas A&M's 2-3 deep is.

 

[Grahambo]

They didn't even go undefeated last year. I wonder how good Texas A&M's 2-3 deep is.

Oh...yeah...my fault. #facepalmtomyself

CORRECTION: Last undefeated was 2009.

Carry on.

 

[philipm31]

All this doubting that ND can hang with Bama for even a half a game is NOTHING but motivation for this team.

Of course, OU was installed as a BIGGER favorite AT HOME against ND and ND beat them into submission by the end of the game, winning by 17.

I think ND has enough to get it done, and I know the players certainly feel that way.

 

[WaveDomer]

Oh...yeah...my fault. #facepalmtomyself

CORRECTION: Last undefeated was 2009.

Carry on.

It's understandable. They lost to LSU who is another all-time great SEC team that could probably beat some NFL teams, so is it really a loss?

 

[brandonnash]

Its gonna be a long wait till Jan 7th. Lots of football talk about the game. Lots of time for Saban to plan his two play offense. Run the ball up the middle about 20 times then run a play action. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[kmoose]

To me, this game is going to be all about ND's defensive line. If Kap, Tuitt, Big Lou, et al, demand the attention of all 5 of Alabama's O linemen, then I like our chances. If they don't occupy the Offensive line, and Alabama is able to get linemen downfield to block our linebackers, then we will be in trouble. Allow Alabama to run the ball effectively, and we lose the game........ maybe big. I know that this D has been money against the run, all year. But this is an almost consensus "best offensive line in CFB" that the boys will be facing. It is going to be imperative that ALL of the D-line brings their A game. This game, perhaps more than any other game we played this year, will be won or lost in the trenches. The formula for winning this game is simple, and as basic as it gets: stop the run, and run the ball effectively. Alabama is a VERY good team. Allow them to do what's comfortable for them, and they will dominate you. Make them one dimensional on offense, and keep them on their heels on defense. Golson is probably going to need to get about 75 yards on the ground, unless we have a RB that just goes off. So his(Golson's) ball security is going to be critical.