MIAMI — Two of the most storied college football programs are set to meet in one of the most anticipated BCS National Championship games.
Notre Dame (12-0) will take on Alabama (12-1) at Sun Life Stadium in Miami at 8:30 Monday night. The game will be televised on ESPN.
The outright lead in Associated Press national titles will be on the line when the two teams take the field as both programs are currently tied for the lead with eight each. However, Notre Dame hasn’t won a national title since 1988, while the Crimson Tide will be playing for their third national title in four seasons.
Alabama is a heavy favorite according to the Vegas odds-makers as well. Most betting lines have the Crimson Tide as nearly double-digit favorites.
While the spread may be big, the over-under lines aren’t and for good reason. Both teams sport outstanding defenses. Alabama allows just 10.7 points per game this season. Notre Dame was even better, allowing just 10.3 points per game this season, best in the nation. Heisman runner-up Manti Te’o is a big reason for the Irish’s defensive success.
Te’o became just third defensive player ever to win the Walter Camp Award. He also won the Maxwell Award as the nation’s most outstanding player, the Bednarik Award as top defensive player, and the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
While both teams are great defensively, Alabama may hold the edge when it comes to offense. The Crimson Tide averaged 38.5 points per game, 15th best in FBS. Notre Dame, on the other hand, is averaging just 26.8 points per game this season.
