Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Game Preview: Alabama On Paper By Dan Murphy Alabama Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Somewhere there���s a quarry in Alabama where the Tide chisels out a new rock solid running back each year. Following in the footsteps of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, this year���s duo of sophomore Eddie Lacy and freshman T.J. Yeldon both reached 1,000 rushing yards and averaged at least 6.4 yards per carry. Lacy and Yeldon pounded a talent-laden Georgia defense for 350 rushing yards in the SEC championship game. The bruising backs get a big assist from Alabama���s equally punishing offensive line. The starting five averages 314 pounds per man and includes three first-team All-Americans led by two-time Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones at center. Notre Dame allowed only 92.4 rushing yards per game in 2012, the fourth lowest total in the country. The Irish have excelled at wrapping up runners and limiting yards after contact this season. With the best defensive line the Tide will see all season and one of the most-decorated linebackers in college football history, this matchup will be a battle of titans. The team that stays truest to form here will likely end the season with the crystal ball. Advantage: Even Alabama Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense For the second year in a row, the national championship doesn���t include a team that features its quarterback. Alabama junior AJ McCarron isn���t his team���s star, but he���s been very efficient at doing what he���s asked to do. He totaled 26 touchdown passes and only three interceptions this season while completing 66.8 percent of his throws. Those stats made the Tide the most efficient passing team in the country this year. Junior quarterback AJ McCarron has been very efficient for Alabama in 2012, completing 66.3 percent of his throws for 2,669 yards with 26 touchdowns and just three interceptions. photo courtesy alabama McCarron���s top target this season is freshman wide receiver Amari Cooper. The Miami native lead the team with 53 catches and nine touchdowns in his rookie year. He was also the team���s home run threat, averaging 16.9 yards per reception. Cooper carried a bigger load after junior receiver Kenny Bell broke his leg in the regular-season finale Nov. 24. A young secondary is supposed to be susceptible to long passing plays, but not at Notre Dame. Only Bowling Green and Michigan have allowed fewer passes of 20 or more yards this season. The Irish have given up six passes for more than 30 yards, which is the lowest number in the country this year.