It's the penultimate season for the BCS, as the system will
be replaced by a four team playoff in 2014. And while that's been a long time
coming, the BCS National Championship game has created intrigue, controversy,
and some really good games over the past 15 years.
Alabama are building a dynasty. National Championships in
2010 and 2012 have been followed by a third title game appearance in 4 years.
The Crimson Tide finished 12-1 on their way to becoming SEC Champions, and were
ranked #2 on all 3 polls this season. Their only loss came on November 10th to
the Johnny Football led Texas A&M, and at that time, it looked like their
chance at the title had gone. Back to back 49-0 wins over Western Carolina and
Auburn in the Iron Bowl propelled them back onto contention after slip ups from
Kansas State and Oregon. Their thrilling SEC Championship victory over Georgia
cemented the Tide as number 2, and gave the SEC a chance for a seventh straight
National Title for the powerhouse conference.
Coach Nick Saban is in his sixth year as Alabama coach, and
could win his third National Title, which would make him a legend in
Tuscaloosa. Junior quarterback AJ McCarron has already declared that he will
return for the 2013 season, and the Tide's defence has once again been one of
the best in Division I football (giving up just 10.7 points per game). History
is also on 'Bama's side, as SEC teams are undefeated in BCS games when they are
ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings.
Notre Dame are the first preseason unranked team to ever
reach a BCS Championship Game. In Brian Kelly's 3rd season as head coach, the
Irish, an 11 time national champion, have regained their prestige. The BCS
Independent school make their first BCS Bowl appearance, and have the chance to
win their first National Title since 1988.
Like the Tide, the Irish build on a great defence. While
redshirt freshman quarterback Everett Golson has had a quietly efficient
season, it's senior linebacker Manti Te'o who has led the team, finished second
in the Heisman Trophy voting and won the Lott Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the
Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the
Lombardi Award, and the Walter Camp Award. While Te'o became the most decorated
college football player of all time with his haul, he has done it through
adversity - losing both his grandmother and girlfriend to cancer in a 36 hour
period in September - and become the face of the most famous name in college
football. The Irish defence gave up just 10.3 points per game over the season.
Two of the best defences in college football collide, with
both offences being free scoring powerhouses. Last year's defensive battle
between Alabama and LSU was a bit of a damp squib, but it is highly unlikely
that this year's title match will be similar. It's two of the most storied
names in college football, going head to head in Miami for the right to be
called the best team in the country. It's going to be a shootout, and it's
going to be a great occasion.
Prediction
#2 Alabama over #1 Notre Dame by 6
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