Looking back at Alabama’s year, one regular season game stood out: Ole Miss on Oct. 10.

Admittedly, the Rebels lost 63-48. However, had they demonstrated even a semblance of defense, Ole Miss could have very well won the game. Check out some of the stats posted by Ole Miss that evening:

• 31 first downs, an average of 7.5 yards per play
• 3rddown efficiency: 9-17
• 4thdown efficiency: 4-4 (yes, 4 for 4)
• Balanced attack: 647 total yards; 379 yards passing, 268 rushing
• Passing completion: 22-29
• Yard/pass: 13.1 (vs. 13.0 for Bama)
• Yards/rush: 4.7/per
• Ole Miss backs, Snoop Conner and Jerrion Ealy, combined for 248 yards and four (4) touchdowns between them. Each had 100-yard+ performances.
• Time of possession – 31:15

Ole Miss went right after Bama from the get go. On the first series, the Rebels completed passes of 17, 52 and 6 yards, respectively. Offensively, they maintained that pace throughout the night, including drives of 93, 79, 54, 64 and 75 yards (twice). We know Bama is prolific offensively. But Ole Miss raised the ante and virtually forced Bama to score each time they had the ball. In fact, beginning midway through the second quarter, both teams strung together no less than 10 consecutive touchdown drives. All game long, Kiffin made Saban work for it.

“We knew we had to score pretty much every possession,” Alabama quarterback Mac Jones said.

If Notre Dame is to have a shot, they need to attack from the first snap with an imaginative offense that keeps Bama on their heels. Against Ole Miss, Bama’s DBs often looked lost and dumfounded; same with their linebackers on several occasions. That’s exactly the same quizzical look we want to see on the faces of Bama's players tomorrow.

Keep Bama guessing and uncertain. Play counter to conventional tendencies. Be ultra-creative without being reckless. When Bama thinks that they have Notre Dame figured out, make a call that proves they don’t.

I am not predicting a victory or even hinting that the Irish will conjure up some magical performance akin to yesteryear. However, I firmly believe that if Ole Miss — a team that finished fifth in its division with a 4-5 record — can score just shy of 50 points against Bama, there is no earthly reason why Notre Dame can’t do the same.

into the ND lineup for today's game, who would you put in?

For me, it would be Dion Sanders and Lawrence Taylor at the height of their careers.

I would have Sanders trash talk and blanket Davonta Smith all game long. And, I would let Taylor line up anywhere he wants on the defensive front - Mac Jones
would be injured and out of the game by halftime. But, not before Dion had a 50 yard pick six where he high stepped it the last 30 yards with his right hand behind his head😂

Added bonus: Dion would be punt returner and return two for scores. And, he would finish one of the returns off in style by performing an Irish Jig in the end zone - unsportsmanlike penalty flag be damned.

In six of the seven previous meetings between two of college football's most renowned programs, there were national title implications. Today's meeting in the College Football Playoff makes it seven of eight.
https://notredame.rivals.com/news/g...dame-fighting-irish-vs-alabama-cfp-semifinals

Maybe a few too many drinks but still ready for tomorrow

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holding out hope for that Hollywood miracle tomorrow

Would beating Alabama tomorrow be the most impressive ND win ever, given it is a Final Four playoff game and that ND is a 20 point underdog?

I just bet ND on the money line. Though I hedged my bet by placing an equal bet on them covering the point spread. I think ND plays similar to the 2005 game v USC. It might be another heartbreaking loss, but ND plays tomorrow like they are the best team in college football.

This is one of those things that most ND fans probably couldn't care less about, but you all are clearly junkies since you're on this board, so you may find it interesting 😄

Just wanted to post a Thank You to the team. During a horrible year in the worlds history. Your sacrifice, perseverance, and play has provided a significant positive impact and happiness for all of your fans. Keep up the good work.
Thank You
GO IRISH and Beat Bama

Prayers and well wishes to all for a safe, prosperous and healthy New Year to all RR and your loved ones.

As bad as 2020 was, I still have a lot a lot to be thankful for. Remember it can always be worse.

As always, Go Irish and beat tide

I’m curious and I don’t know the answer but how many 5 stars the last 4 years would have qualified for ND?

MBB game Saturday at Pitt is off due to Pitt COVID issues. Team will instead go to UNC Saturday. Tip at 4 pm ET on ACCN.

Reading the game preview in the hardcopy version of BGI was depressing but I did see one item that was encouraging:
Bama gave up 94 points against Old Miss and Florida.

In his Thursday preview, Brian Kelly noted about senior Josh Lugg and sophomore Zeke Correll: "Both centers are prepared and ready to play. It will be game-time decision. Both could play for us [in the game]."

Today, Notre Dame landed a preferred walk-on commitment from Pennsylvania DE Andrew Yanoshak.

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The past year has been a whirlwind for Prince Kollie, especially the week of Clark Lea's departure as DC.

Not sure if a top flight DC comes in with the possibility of taking over for BK.
I personally don’t think so and would like to see Luke Fickell replace BK when he hangs it up. I was also told by someone on the Cincinnati staff ND is on Fickell’s short list.

Boxer points out in his thread that the world has lost Dawn Wells to COVID. Obviously as the wholesome Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island, she stole many a heart, and also created THE age old debate....

What do you say, board?

I was watching the Texas vs Colorado game and at halftime Jessie Palmer showed video of 4 plays against Clemson in the ACC Championship game. The plays showed receivers open for potential big gains ( one with Davis down the middle that would have gone for a score) where Book failed to throw the ball. Palmer said he doesn't know if Book just has problem seeing the receivers or if he sees them, but for some reason just doesn't pull the trigger.

This is surprising since many are always claiming that the ND receivers are never open or that they can not get separation. But this has long been probably the #1 complaint that Book critiques make - that for some reason, he is simply hesitant to throw the ball to his receivers unless they are wide-open.

I thought that Clemson game-1 was a turning point. That game and those that followed appeared to show an improved Book who had finally overcome his hesitancy to give his receivers a chance. But the old Book apparently returned against Clemson game-2.

ND has no chance against Alabama if it is the old Book that we see at the Rose Bowl - of course, ND likely has little chance vs Alabama even with the new Book.

The 3-4 (1-2 in ACC) Irish try to bounce back after extremely disappointing performance at Clemson on Dec. 20, a 78-55 loss. Miami is 4-2 and usually has been a tough out there.

Awesome or disgusting?

Discuss.

Many a post here the last few days say that to beat Alabama the Irish need Book and the offense to air it out, take shots down the field, throw on first down etc.

But isnt that asking Book to change over night? Is that really a strength of this team?

I propose a completely different plan. One which I am sure will be dis agreed with.

Run on first down. Run on second down. Run on third down. Run on 4th down.

Basically, play service academy football.

Take the ball and eat the clock. Keep Bama and its offense off the field. Frustrate the hell out of them by playing 4 down offensive football right from the get go.

Three tight ends. Wildcat occasionally.

Yes pass occasionally but be willing to run for 3 on first down, run for 3 on second, run for 3 on third and run for just enough on 4th down.
If its 4th and 2 line up quickly and run the ball for the first.

The irish offense is not capable of out scoring this team. Not even close. So why try?

Yes, Bama will adjust but by that time we got ourselves a game.

Okay, fire away

I would be interested to hear if anyone closer to the story has an opinion.

I have to say that I am a bit surprised that West Point is allowing these cadets to keep playing. To me, it takes a little of the "we are so different than anyone else" off the table.

Tip at 6 pm on ACC Network.

UVA's a 6-point favorite and ranked No. 23. But they were just shellacked by Gonzaga (no shame there), 98-75. Most points allowed since November 2010. To me, says a lot more about Gonzaga than UVA. The brutal UVA offense from last year seems to be a thing of the past. They're back to top-50 and top-30 in a lot of KenPom categories. A lot more shooting. Can't let Sam Hauser or Trey Murphy get open all night.

I kind of feel like this is a decent matchup for ND. UVA's not going to dribble-drive anyone to death. That's the biggest thing right now.

The SEC ass kissing has never been more apparent for a very mediocre Florida team somehow still being ranked in the top 10 all season.

At least according to this ND account. Not sure the veracity, but not surprising if it is true. He has been a remarkable example of resilience, courage, and hard work. I wish him nothing but the best the rest of his life. He’s certainly earned it.

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