The top ranked team in the land, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (12-0) will make their return to the National Title game, 23 years since their last championship win. The Irish have won some of the most impressive ways this season and the Notre Dame faithful are back in the lime light as the team will attempt to win their 12th National title. Head Coach Chip Kelly, who is in his third season with the Irish also has destiny on his side, as every Notre Dame Head coach to win a National title (Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Lou Houltz) all won their first National title in their third seasons coaching the Irish.
The Irish offense hasn’t been high profile this season but quarterback Everett Golson has put the team in the end zone at the most important times to keep Notre Dame undefeated. The strong Notre Dame defense is led by Heisman trophy runner up, Linebacker Manti Te’o, who leads the team in tackles was responsible for 9 turnovers for the Irish. The Irish defense has been the strong point for this Notre Dame team in signature wins this season against Southern California, Stanford and Oklahoma (all preseason top ten teams) and they will surely need it when they face Alabama.
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) returns for their 3rd appearance in the National Title game in four years. Alabama will look to make it two in a row behind a coach who seems almost destined to put his name among the best. A win in Miami would put head coach Nick Saban half way to legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s 6 national titles. The Crimson tide isn’t perfect this year however, not many teams are as complete as Alabama. Seeking their 15th national championship will be no easy feat as they face a team who was perfect this year.
The one loss that Alabama had on the season came against SEC new comer Texas A&M and the eventual Heisman trophy winner Johnny Manziel in a tough fought game in Tuscaloosa. However, the crimson tide have their signature wins on the season too, winning against Michigan early this season, the always high televised LSU game and in the SEC championship game against Georgia. The Alabama defense was barely able to hold off a late game threat from the Georgia offense. Alabama’s offense has been fun to watch, is led by Quarterback AJ McCarron, last year’s BCS title game MVP. He quietly has become one of the better quarterbacks in the nation.
The two teams face off on January 7th in the Discover BCS National Championship in Miami in a game for the ages.
