One Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan’s pregame analysis of the 2013 BCS National Championship Game between Notre Dame and Alabama.
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By now the whole world knows that Notre Dame and Alabama will square off in the BCS National Title Game in South Florida on January 7th. If you have paid attention to any of the media outlets and Vegas, then you also know that the Irish are almost a 7 point underdog. While this is nothing new to the Irish team and their fans, we wanted to take a deeper look at the Irish and see what we are missing that has caused them to be depicted in the role of “David” and why most of the “experts” have decided that Alabama has all but already sealed their 3rd national title in four years. We will focus on the players who might have the biggest impact in the game for the Irish.
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From the time Saban left LSU onward, his employment status has been watched like the depository at Fort Knox. Fans of several NFL teams and a plethora of schools dissect every word, every nuance, every facial expression. Journalists split into different camps, some following his every move like he was a Teen Beat centerfold, while others manipulate the story to fit their own employers’ thirst for readership – and its kissing cousin, advertising dollars.
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Sources tell TideFans.com that Auburn first offered the job to Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who gave it strong consideration before eventually turning the job down. Auburn is also believed to have gauged interest from Jimbo Fisher, Gary Patterson and at least one other major college coach, but could not find a willing dance partner. Bob Petrino was never seriously considered by the people charged with actually making the decision. Enter Gus Malzahn.
Continue reading …Georgia recap: Tide wins one for the ages to set up another one for the ages
December 2, 2012 1 Comment
Alabama beat Georgia 32-28 in one of the most exciting, dramatic intraconference matchups in many decades. For a neutral fan, being able to watch the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs square off must have been the football equivalent of a foodie scoring a free shipping crate full of black truffles. There was nothing about this game that left anyone bored or wanting more. It couldn’t have – everything both teams had was poured out onto the field for all to see.
Continue reading …Missouri wrap-up: Tigers get proper introduction to the basics of SEC football
October 13, 2012 1 Comment
For all the argument over the speed and excitement of a spread-style offense, American football in general and SEC football specifically is about controlling the trenches and hammering the other side until it quits. Because when a spread offense doesn’t work – as it didn’t for Missouri on Saturday, or for media darling West Virginia against Texas Tech earlier in the day – the results are as ugly as a body-painted Mizzou student after four hours of rain, smuggled-in adult beverages and grass end zone seating.
Continue reading …Ole Miss preview: Rebels bring frenetic offense, dubious defense to Bryant-Denny
September 26, 2012 4 Comments
Coaching changes bring out both the best and the worst in schools. Some schools get things terribly, terribly wrong (here’s looking at you, Arkansas); some, however, get it right. When Ole Miss hired Arkansas State’s Hugh Freeze this offseason, the hire was generally applauded by analysts and other coaches alike. Freeze’s name was on TideFans.com/NARCAS’s annual “Coaches To Watch” list.
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The Bulldogs’ defense needs tweaking, but Georgia is still the most dangerous offensive team in the SEC East and perhaps the conference as a whole. Tennessee is, essentially, Georgia Lite. The defense hasn’t looked sharp over the last two weeks, while the offense has big-play ability from QB Tyler Bray but little continuity and even less of a running game.
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During the week, Florida Atlantic defensive end Cory Henry made the same mistake a lot of players from second-tier teams have made since Nick Saban came to Alabama: He verbalized thoughts in the presence of the media that Alabama was nothing special and could be beaten.
The first half of Henry’s assertion is flat-out wrong, if “special” is defined in college football as being one of the top five teams in the country, which Alabama is. The second half of his comment is true – but it wasn’t going to happen at the hands of FAU.
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