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No.1 Alabama and No.4 Notre-Dame will take center stage in one of the most unique editions of the Rose Bowl in the game’s long and rich history. Not only is it one of the seasons where the Rose Bowl will play a role in the national champion’s decision as a college football playoff semi-final, but the game will be played outside of Pasadena, Calif., for only the second time following the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and current health restrictions in Los Angeles County.
Although the game has been moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, it is still a game between two of the most iconic programs in all of college football. Not to mention, they were both placed in the top three for much of the season leading up to this semi-final with a chance at the domestic championship game on the line.
Despite being two of college football’s most iconic programs, they only played seven times before Saturday. The last time they met was at the 2013 BCS National Championship when the Crimson Tide defeated the Irishman 42-14. Will history repeat itself on Saturday night or will the Irish overcome the hump and make it to the CFP National Championship game? Let’s take a closer look at the scenarios and matches to watch before making a few expert choices below.
Storylines
Alabama: One of the most prolific offenses in program history produced two Heisman Trophy finalists and five first-team PA All-Americans with half-back Najee Harris, offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood and center Landon Dickerson joining quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who was also named AP Player of the Year and SEC Offensive Player of the Year. It’s not surprising to see nearly half of the first-team attack spots held by Alabama players when you consider not only where the tide is in their own history, but also how the group as a unit has been elite every time it hits the ground. Alabama’s offense averaged 49.5 points per game during the 10-game regular season, then topped the year with 52 points and 605 yards of attack in the win over Florida in the SEC Championship game. It was the seventh time in 11 games in the 2020 campaign that the Tide has eclipsed 500 yards on offense and the third time in 600 yards on offense.
Perhaps no player symbolizes Nick Saban’s embrace for the offensive victory better than Jones, who holds four of 10 games in which an Alabama passer has eclipsed 400 yards. And while the total yards (3,739 in 11 games) may coincide with some of the Air Raid offenses of the turn of the 21st century, this is a very effective passing attack with Jones enjoying the highest completion score and of the best passer rating in the country.
Our Lady: The first and only year of ACC membership in football can only be considered a success for the Fighting Irish, even if it was not accompanied by a championship. There was a lot of intrigue about what would happen when Notre Dame faced a full conference schedule and was regularly compared to conference peers, and the result was near total domination. After going 10-0 in the regular season with a 9-0 record against ACC opponents, he swept the awards season. Kelly was named ACC Coach of the Year, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, running back Kyren Williams was named Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie ACC, and offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg won the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy. A total of 18 Notre Dame players received All-ACC honors and the victories over Clemson and North Carolina not only proved their position against the rest of the league, but helped keep the Fighting Irish in the top four. after losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. .
But while the regular-season dominance against the ACC confirmed Notre Dame’s place as one of the best programs of the college football playoff era, the loss of the conference title game brought back a chorus. familiar with doubt about the national championship claim. No one in the sport is going to dispute the high floor Kelly has established in South Bend, InsiN, over the past few years, but this game against Alabama will serve as a judgment on the program cap. It’s not particularly fair to Kelly or the players who have shone all season – especially given the strength of this year’s Alabama squad – but that’s the way things work in a reputation-driven sport such as college football.
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Information display
Game: Rose Bowl – College Football Playoff Semifinal
Dated: Friday January 1 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN | Direct: fuboTV (Try for free)
Rose Bowl prediction, pick
Last Chances:
Alabama Crimson Tide -19
Notre Dame has been too strong, too veteran-led, and too up for the challenge all season long for me to think we are seeing another steam roll like the 2013 BCS Championship Game. I have no doubt that Alabama will strike early and likely control most of the game, but that’s too many daggum points for a college football playoff semi-final between two teams that have a 21-1 combined over the year. Pick: Notre Dame +20 | Alabama 45, Notre Dame 28
So who wins Alabama against Notre Dame? And which side of the gap affects well over 50% of the simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of Notre Dame vs Alabama spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that crushed his college football picks, and find out.
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