Notre Dame vs. Alabama: Rose Bowl Preview and Predictions

By AJ Olona

Friday, Jan. 1 at 5:00 PM ET

ESPN

SPREAD: Alabama, -20.0

It’s the Rose Bowl, but it’s not in Pasadena – moved because families and fans wouldn’t be allowed to see the game in California – so instead of being held in one of sport’s most iconic settings, the new location will be AT&T Stadium.

A College Football Playoff semifinal between Notre Dame and Alabama.

The game boasts not only big names, big teams, and a big location, but fans can expect a big show as well. 

The success of Alabama’s offense over the past couple of years against defenses is highly notable. The Tide has not been held under 40 points since the season opener where they scored 38 and has played defenses that are as good or better than the one they will face on Friday. 

Still, though, Notre Dame as a team is far from a pushover, fighting their way to a Top Four Spot to close out the season. Analysts feel that Notre Dame possesses one of the best defenses of the ACC in the 2020 season. 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The first and only year of full ACC membership in football can only be viewed as a success for the Fighting Irish, even if it does not come with a championship.

18 Notre Dame players received All-ACC honors. 

Wins against Clemson and North Carolina proved where they stand and kept the Fighting Irish in the Top Four after losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. 

Notre Dame Offense

Ian Book has 15 touchdowns compared to 2 picks on the season. (USA TODAY Sports)

The Irish are looking quite a lot better than they looked in the rough 34-10 loss to Clemson early on. They have the lines, the running game, and a veteran QB in Ian Book who won’t get rattled in the big game spotlight.

Notre Dame Defense

On the defensive side, as noted above, they have prowess and passion.

Notre Dame has shown itself to be a solid defense this season, but we have seen what usually happens to solid defenses when they face the best offense nowadays.

They will be charged with the difficult task of attempting to stop Mac Jones and the other formidable offensive weapons of the Tide.

Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide are 7-2 in their last nine post-season games – both of those losses were national championships.

Alabama is currently a -20.0 point favorite in this game, the highest point spread we have ever seen in a CFB Bowl Game. It’s not surprising given the fact that Alabama has 17 National Championships, 4 of which were won within the last 10 games.

Alabama Offense

Mac Jones has 32 touchdowns and only 4 picks in his first fulls season as Alabamas starter. (USA TODAY Sports)

One of the most prolific offenses in program history has produced two Heisman Trophy finalists and five first-team AP All-Americans.

Alabama's offense averaged 49.5 points per game during the 10-game regular season and then capped off the year with 52 points and 605 yards of offense in the win against Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

Their high powered and intense offense averages 550 yards per game. 

On the Quarterback front, no player better symbolizes Nick Saban's embrace of winning with offense than Jones, who holds four of ten games in which an Alabama passer has eclipsed 400 yards.

That isn’t even to mention stars such as Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith, the latter of which just became the first wide receiver to ever win the AP Player of the Year award after his stellar season in which he broke the SEC all-time receiving touchdowns record.

Alabama Defense

The Tide offense is cited as best in the nation.

Unfortunately, a series of busted coverages against Texas A&M and a horrendous all-encompassing defense effort against Ole Miss gave fans and critics reason to question their defensive efforts.

They've made efforts to improve, only allowing 17 points in the last 10 quarters but the concern over the defensive play is still there.

Alabama has embraced the idea of a quick-scoring offense. Naturally, more points and more possessions. And while the 2020 offense has improved by almost 40% from the average Alabama offense, the defense is giving up north of 50% more yards.

Overall, the Alabama defense has significant room for improvement.

The Prediction

There is a clear-cut best team in the country this year.

That team resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It's hard to imagine anyone beating this team and this offense, even with the best of luck and defensive effort from the Notre Dame squad that got humbled pretty soundly by Clemson. Too much Mac Jones, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith. 

The Tide rolls. 

BROOKE’S PREDICTION: Alabama 45 - 17

AJ is a sports writer for La Tonique Media.