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Manti Te'o |
The quest for seven straight titles begins for Alabama and the SEC. The Tide meet in Miami against undefeated and number one Notre Dame. If any non-SEC team had a shot at beating 'Bama it would be the Irish, because they are basically a SEC team. They run right at the defense and use a dominant rush defense to keep opponents from scoring. Their rush defense is led by Heisman runner-up Manti Te'o, 300+ pound tackle Louis Nix and pass rushing Kapron-Lewis Moore. But, they haven't faced an offensive line like the Tide's. Guard Chance Warmack and tackle D.J. Fluker push defenders back with ease. And, the Irish haven't seen backs that Alabama has. Eddie Lacy has the frame of a linebacker but has okay speed and great vision. Notre Dame should know they can't finish him off with mere arm tackles. Freshman T.J. Yeldon adds more speed and a great receiver out of the backfield (refer to the final minute of the LSU game). Though, Notre Dame has their fair share of offensive weapons. Quarterback Everett Golson hopes to have the success Johnny Manziel had against the Tide's defense using his legs. Though, the key is how well he throws the ball to receivers like Tyler Eifert and T.J. Jones. The scariest person Alabama may needto worry about on Notre Dame's roster? Not Eifert, Golson, back Cierre Wood or even Te'o but back/receiver Theo Riddick. Once a great receiver for the Irish, Riddick switched to back this spring. He can line up in the backfield as a receiver and swing out for a security blanket for Golson in the flats. Expect a low-scoring, pyschical, old-school football game in this one and expect a surprise winner.
Notre Dame, 17 Alabama, 14
The Game
BY THE NUMBERS
17- National titles won by both universities.
12-0- Golson's record as starter for ND.
45- Days since Notre Dame as played a football game.
9- Wins over bowl elgible teams for ND, compared to 5 for 'Bama
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