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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

106,132 Views | 944 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by pjcaulfield
mavscoach
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No run another play
mattfreeman
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Staff
Jon Doerer 51-yard FG short.
Wiggs4Irish
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You can't make this **** up
Rwolf101
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Ok. Doerer is officially broken once again.
mavscoach
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Why not run another play
Rwolf101
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mattfreeman said:

Jon Doerer 51-yard FG short.

Would've been short from 31.
Cassin
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Was that blocked? Good Lord.
yepre
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It was blocked
Firefighter8196
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Dear lord can we get rid of doerer now
Donnymo
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Doerer gotta go. All these kicks are horrific looking.

Not mad he can't nail a 51yarder, but these kicks are no hope.
irishtank6900
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It was blocked
mattfreeman
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Staff
No. 1 Alabama 21
No. 4 Notre Dame 7

HALFTIME

Shaun Crawford: 7 tackles
Kyle Hamilton: 4 tackles

irishwake
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No such thing as a moral victory, but we made them punt!
Wiggs4Irish
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irishwake said:

No such thing as a moral victory, but we made them punt!


They chose to punt. Lol
Firefighter8196
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Only down 14! So far covering the spread! Haha
irishbearcat09
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Edsall is Irish
irishwake
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I wish we had more film on this Smith kid. We would have paid more attention to him.
Cassin
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Wiggs4Irish said:

irishwake said:

No such thing as a moral victory, but we made them punt!


They chose to punt. Lol

ndmojo
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you're in the frikin playoffs Kelly. playing conservative is a guaranteed loss and blow out. come on. 1 receiver caught a pass. unfrikingacceptable!!!
mattfreeman
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Staff
Irish over 100 yards rushing in the half.

The difference
Notre Dame: 39 plays for 4.8 yards per play
Alabama: 28 plays 10.0 yards per play
rmirish
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Bama scores to open 2nd half and game over.
smoodiver
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Anybody, where is our Butkus Award-winning linebacker??
coachscott
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Look: the goal for our defense was to hold them to 39 points or less. Fairly close to that in the first half regardless of 3 horrible defensive series. Mostly, we're close to that because of our one super long drive.

But let's be honest: Kyren has shown up. Rees has had some near great calls (hello screen pass to Tyree!). The reason we are not within 7 points is because Book hasn't taken chances throwing the ball into tight windows. We have alternate broadcasts with alternate camera angles and our guys have been plenty open. Plenty!
clashmore
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So what are the halftime adjustments that we can make? (seriously)
irish4life
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Is anyone either on the board or from the ISD staff hearing rumors about Johnson transferring out? Having major issues with Brian Kelly and him butting heads all the time?

Nothing to do with academics or school rules.
scUMsux
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In the post game press conference Saban will say how ND was a game opponent and they had alot of respect for them blah blah blah, when in reality he's thinking "well we could have hung 80 on them but don't want to draw any more attention to our obvious dirty recruiting"
coachscott
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smoodiver said:

Anybody, where is our Butkus Award-winning linebacker??


They've made him have primary responsibility for the run. They've been letting him almost freelance the football to stop the run. It has been marginally effective on about 5-7 plays.
REMND
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Lea's defenses are usually better in the 2nd half. Hope that continues.
smoodiver
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Thanks for the response.
Rwolf101
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irish4life said:

Is anyone either on the board or from the ISD staff hearing rumors about Johnson transferring out? Having major issues with Brian Kelly and him butting heads all the time?

Nothing to do with academics or school rules.

I haven't read any rumors but it wouldn't surprise me if any non starter transfers with the upcoming rules.
andrew32
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Johnson and Kyren Williams are close friends and Kyren explained to him with the redshirt year is all about.

rmirish
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Will never understand our refusal to throw deep. If it is a Book deficiency then I just hope our next QB can and will throw passes over 6 yards. It is REALLY limiting
clashmore
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rmirish said:

Will never understand our refusal to throw deep. If it is a Book deficiency then I just hope our next QB can and will throw passes over 6 yards. It is REALLY limiting

We need to take some shots deep, if only to let them know that we are willing to.
nd79law@cox.net
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Is Hayes playing? Sorry if this was already asked & answered.
REMND
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No penalties.

No TOs.

Both Rees and Lea have to up their game next half for us to prevail. We need a schematic advantage here.
 
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