Sunday, January 6, 2013

BCS National Championship Preview



            How fitting is it that the team that can end the SEC’s vise grip on the college football world can be Notre Dame? The University of Notre Dame, a place where academics always come first and athletics are second. Notre Dame, a name that conjure up emotions that varies from hatred to never-quit loyalty. Notre Dame, the greatest college football program in the 20th century. Notre Dame, a school that refuses to join a conference and remain independent. How fitting is for Notre Dame that they get to play perhaps the best football program so far in the 21st century? The Crimson Tide has won two championships in the last three years and are going for back to back championships. If you want to be the best then you have to beat the best, and that’s Alabama.
            When Notre Dame and Alabama take the field in Miami, the entire sports world will be watching. Fans from every region will have a rooting interest. Fans who hate Nick Saban, Alabama, and the media’s love for the SEC will root for the Irish. Fans who hate Notre Dame will be rooting for the  Tide. Many have said this will be highest watched championship game ever and I believe this is the most anticipated championship game ever. Of course, that’s easy for me to say since I’m an Irish fan.

Keys to Victory
Pressure A.J. McCarron: McCarron is the Tide’s junior quarterback and leader on offense. He led the team to a championship last year and now he’s back looking for a second. McCarron threw for 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns with a 66% completion percentage. He only threw three interceptions during the season as well. The Irish need to force McCarron to make plays. Push him out of the pocket and make him find the open receivers. That goal sounds simple until you realize Alabama has one of the best offensive lines in the country. It will be up to Louis Nix, Stephon Tuitt and Kapron Lewis-Moore to draw double teams and allow the linebackers into the backfield.
Rushing Attack: Notre Dame has long been known for its famous backfields and running backs. This year they have relied heavily on the running game too. Seniors Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood have split the carries and have combined for over 1,500 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. The Crimson Tide have the 2nd ranked defense but gave up more than 100 rushing yards against Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU. That means they are vulnerable and the Irish have to take advantage. Riddick will also be key in the passing game. He is my “player to watch” in the game.
Everett Golson: Alabama’s lone loss came at the hands of Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. The eventual Heisman winner beat ‘Bama by using his arm as well as his legs. Golson will have to do the same Monday night. He cannot stand in the pocket and wait for receivers to get open. He will have to move around, scramble out of the pocket and possibly run for yards when receivers are not open. Fortunately he has done already done this numerous times during the season. 

           When Oregon and Auburn played for the national championship, everybody expected it be a score fest. The final score was 22-19. When LSU and Alabama played last year many expected it to be close to the score of their previous meeting in the regular season. The final score was 21-0. Notre Dame and Alabama have the two best defenses in the country and many are expecting this to be a low scoring game. I'm not buying it. Each team will score at least one touchdown.
            Notre Dame is playing for more than a national championship and a year of bragging rights. They are playing for everybody who bleeds blue and gold. For everybody who has prayed for victory at the Grotto. For everybody who has been to the Basilica of Sacred Hearts but knows the real cathedral is Notre Dame Stadium. For everybody who cried during “Rudy”. For everybody who has won one for the Gipper. For everybody who plays like a champion. For everybody who knows the Four Horsemen didn’t ride horses. For everybody who has been inspired by the Golden Dome on a crisp, autumn day. For everybody who believes that nowhere else but Notre Dame is football is more than a game.

Go Irish. Beat ‘Bama.

Predicted score: Notre Dame-23. Alabama-13

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