Alabama 23, Notre Dame 21: Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson will make one key mistake in the fourth quarter to allow Alabama to hold off the Irish in a classic.
Notre Dame 19, Alabama 17: Notre Dame believes it is meant to win this title. Alabama’s lack of multiple perimeter playmakers allows the Irish to keep it close enough to prove themselves right.
Notre Dame 23, Alabama 22: Whoa, Tide. Notre Dame’s speedy, SEC-style defense will stop the run and end a 24-year wait that has seemed even longer for a program that’s overdue. Everett Golson, Irish football immortality awaits.
Alabama 21, Notre Dame 17: Alabama will pull off a close one as its formidable offensive line, two 1,000-yard rushers and the superior experience of AJ McCarron do just enough damage to dash the national title hopes of Irish fans for another year.
Alabama 17, Notre Dame 14: The game will be decided in the trenches and the Crimson Tide offensive line will be able to clear enough room to do some damage. Defense will rule the day but in the end, Alabama will capture its third title in four years.
Dan McNeil
Alabama 23, Notre Dame 17: If Notre Dame feeds Theo Riddick consistently, taking pressure off Everett Golson, the Irish will hang for four quarters. Alabama’s AJ McCarron is a mere mortal, but the Tide’s running game will wear down the ND defense.
Alabama 23, Notre Dame 20: National championship games often do not live up to the hype, but this one figures to be generously decorated with memorable moments and signature plays.
Edgy Tim
Alabama 20, Notre Dame 14: Hard to pick against the Irish here, taking into account my South Side roots and family lineage. I might not be allowed on Western Avenue for a while. I see the dream ending here for Notre Dame.
Notre Dame 24, Alabama 20: If it’s close in the fourth quarter, I like Notre Dame’s chances. The Irish will do what they’ve done all year and find a way to win.
