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Notre Dame Football

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

December 31, 2020
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No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame | Rose Bowl 

AT&T Stadium | 4:00 p.m. ET | ESPN

Game Week Articles | Roster| Depth Chart Schedule 


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 

TEAM STATS Notre Dame Alabama
Points Per Game 35.2 49.7
Points Allowed Per Game 18.6 19.5
Total Yards 455.2 543.9
Yards Passing 237.5 354.1
Yards Rushing 217.6 189.8
Yards Allowed 335.1 351.2
Pass Yards Allowed 224.5 243.5
Rush Yards Allowed  110.5 107.6

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

106,146 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by pjcaulfield
Wiggs4Irish
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I expected Bama to score but I also thought our D could put up a fight. We look slow and out of position. Terrible game plan.
Firefighter8196
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I would blitz the hell out of their offense. Who cares...we know we won't win so might as well take a chance and send the house every time. Front 4 isn't going to get pressure
lake erie irish
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Recruiting matters.
Sec26Row30
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I watched one Bama game this year.... I remember thinking that I hoped we didn't play Davonta Smith until the Championship final.... I saw Heisman. Damn...... dude is good.
rmirish
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This is painful. Thought our D might at least slow them down.
irishtank6900
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blairkiel said:

irishtank6900 said:

Newsflash - Notre Dame has guys that will play in the nfl on defense too. This is a joke. Not prepared.
3 or 4


First of all, more than that

Secondly, Arkansas got freaking stops against Bama.
REMND
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18 plays. 260 yards. 21 points. We couldn't do worse if we were fat dumb and stupid. This is the football equivalent of Animal House.
SWANSEA
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With all the 5* Bama has, I'm surprised they can play with only one football.
tvanp63
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I really thought defense would play better. Bama is not doing anything complicated or unexpected, just that much better.
TornisODaly
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This is what happens when you hold onto coaches that don't recruit. A 3-year recruiting hole in the secondary.
-------

Tornis
Joe1976
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I'd trade this secondary for the one we had when we played clemson a couple years ago..
Joe
TripperHarrison
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REMND said:

18 plays. 260 yards. 21 points. We couldn't do worse if we were fat dumb and stupid. This is the football equivalent of Animal House.
Zero point zero.
blairkiel
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irishtank6900 said:

blairkiel said:

irishtank6900 said:

Newsflash - Notre Dame has guys that will play in the nfl on defense too. This is a joke. Not prepared.
3 or 4


First of all, more than that

Secondly, Arkansas got freaking stops against Bama.
I'm sure they were focused and disciplined

It was a huge game for them
mattfreeman
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Staff
GEORGE TAKACS!
tayirish14
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Make them run the ball. I know Harris is a stud and their line is great, but the track meet is not working and wasn't going to work. Make them earn their way up the field. I thought that would be the game plan, but it appears we are going to allow them to put Smith in space and chuck it to him all over. Pretty piss poor strategy in my opinion
Wiggs4Irish
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Can ****ing Book look downfield??
ejsjr
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The 1 thing Kyren has to do is to stop that big step backwards, trying to avoid a tackle but losing several yards.
ejsjr
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9 in the box and we run into their teeth.
usma95
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We do not have a WR with a catch yet. Think about that. Ugh.
jmsheridan
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Can't throw downfield.
Rwolf101
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3rd and 8 is not an Ian Book favorable situation.
Mike Frank
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Staff
Rees is just calling a terrible game.
ndmojo
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Has Book thrown a ball to any of the wide receivers yet?
mattfreeman
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Staff
Banks or Correll messed up that protection. Four man pressure and Bama got there.
Firefighter8196
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Why run to the right...the left side is out best side to run too
Wiggs4Irish
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Rees just ****ting himself. Ffs.
irishtank6900
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Run run 3 yard throw.

Here's your 1980 offense getting exposed against the best.
ejsjr
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Once again on offense we're using only about 6 yards downfield. Why?
IrishRob
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Book refuses to throw downfield. So pathetic. I won't miss him next year no matter how bad the backup may be.
yepre
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Mike Frank said:

Rees is just calling a terrible game.



One misdirection, play action type play and it went for 27! I don't get it.
pbrad28
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Yes he threw behind and over the head of an open Javon I think...
irishinutah
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Why in the **** is Kelly punting the ball
irishtank6900
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Wiggs4Irish said:

Rees just ****ting himself. Ffs.


This is what people wanted. Pound your head into 8 man boxes all day. Will NEVER work against great teams.
tvanp63
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Will we stop them once this half?
Firefighter8196
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Book is crapping his pants. Rees playing calling was awful on that series. Run to the strong side of our line. It's pretty obvious that's what works
 
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