Game Thread | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame | Rose Bowl

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame | Rose Bowl 

AT&T Stadium | 4:00 p.m. ET | ESPN

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Players To Watch

Notre Dame QB Ian Book
Book was fantastic against Clemson in November. He didn't play as well in the rematch. If he can tap back into that early Clemson game magic, Notre Dame can hang with Alabama. 

Alabama WR DeVonta Smith
He's nearly automatic when covered by one player so expect plenty of bracket coverage against Smith. Even then, he can still go off. He's the best receiver in college football. 

Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton has been playing with an ankle that isn't 100% since early in the season, but has still been an impact player. He's been asked to do everything in Notre Dame's defense and he'll have to do it again at an extremely high level to help slow down the prolific Alabama offense.

Alabama LB Will Anderson
The true freshman edge rusher has been consistently putting pressure on quarterbacks all season. He's really come into his own down the stretch with seven sacks in his last four games. The matchup with him and Notre Dame's tackles is one to watch.

Notre Dame G Aaron Banks
They call this a "money game" for players like Banks. After being named to All-American teams, he could be on his way to the NFL when this season is done. He'll help his standing a lot if he can dominate his matchups against a talented defensive line.

Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame QB Ian Book:
“We truly have an opportunity and it starts with believing. We believe we can win. We believe that we can win a National Championship this year and that's where it matters. That's where it starts and it's just an unbelievable opportunity for this team.

"These guys believe. It's been a couple weeks of preparation. We're just excited to get out to Dallas, go play on the biggest stage. That's why you come to Notre Dame. We're here and we're ready to do it.”

Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams:
“Being the underdogs, it's motivating. Not everybody in the world believes in us and it's okay because we don't want anybody to believe in us besides us.”

 Notre Dame S Shaun Crawford:
"I think a key for us in the secondary is not so much just getting upset with if they catch a ball, but just making sure they don't take it the distance if they do catch the ball. So just getting them down right after the catch will be huge." 

Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton:
"I understand it's a big stage, but we've all been here before. We've all played football in big games. I think if we just keep that in mind and keep in mind that we're a great team too, we'll be okay." 

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees:
”For us, just being more consistent on first and second down. Not getting off schedule, not getting behind the chains and putting ourselves in third-and-long situations is something that we've tried to refocus on over the last 10 days or so.”

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea:
“My singular focus has been on preparation for this game. I know that may be hard to believe, but this is too big. I mean, whatever is to come next for me will be there when this season's finished.

“But this is a culmination of four years of investment for me and it's not just about me, obviously. It's four years of investment with these players.”

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly: 
“We want to run the ball. We need to run the football. Based upon who we are and how we have operated this year, we will have to run the ball more effectively than we did the last time we played.”

For Your Nerves