The National Championship: Notre Dame vs Alabama

Well this is it. Months of football, tailgates, fight songs, mascots and anticipation have led to this: The National Championship. On one side you have the up start Irish who have used their defense to get to this game. On the other side you have Alabama, the reigning National Champions who have a defense that can match Notre Dame's and a supreme rushing attack.
Way back at the start of the season, I had Notre Dame going 8-4 with losses to MSU, Michigan, Oklahoma and USC. I couldn't have been more wrong. They have shut down all of the teams on their schedule with their defense. They allow an average of 10.3 points per game and allowed a season high 26 in a triple overtime game against Pitt. Manti Te'o is the star of this defense and should receive a lot of credit for how he rallies this team. My issue with the Irish is their lack of an offense. Yes, I know they went undefeated, but the Irish offense was woeful in many performances. If it wasn't for blowouts against a weak Navy side and a lack luster Miami, their offensive stats would be laughable. Just look at Everett Golson's stats against Michigan, which had one of the better defenses they faced. 3-8 for 30 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 19.0. I expect a similar night for him against the Tide tonight. The only hope the Irish have are their run game which averages 202.5 yards per game.
At the start of the season, I saw Alabama losing one game and just missing out on the National Championship game. if the infamous K-State and Oregon weekend didn't happen, I would be looking really good, but enough of that. Alabama has one heck of a defense. They allowed an average of 10.7 points per game while thriving in the tough SEC. Unlike the Irish, the Tide have an offense that scores an average of 38.5 points per game and averages 224.6 yards per game on the ground. RBs Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon will have issues at first, but will start to find running lanes behind their powerful line. QB A.J. McCarron will put the Tide well ahead of the Irish with his ability to extend plays and make the necessary throws.
When the wistle blows on this one, I see a game that looks very similar to last year's. The Alabama defense will pin the Irish back in their own territory for most of the game which will allow the Tide's run game to take care of business. I see the Tide winning their second National Championship 26-10.