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Game Prediction: #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs #1 Alabama Crimson Tide

The Irish Breakdown staff makes predictions for the Notre Dame vs. Alabama game.
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Notre Dame and Alabama are just one day away from kicking off the 2020 College Football Playoff. The fourth-ranked Fighting Irish are almost a three touchdown underdog to the top-ranked Crimson Tide.

Irish Breakdown has spent the last two weeks breaking down the game, and now it's time to make predictions.

BRYAN DRISKELL, PUBLISHER

Okay, I'm going to cheat here, and I'm going to give two predictions. The first is what I believe Notre Dame is capable of should they do the things they need to do from a coaching and quarterback standpoint. 

Prediction #1: Notre Dame 37, Alabama 34

I'm sorry, but I just do not see this game as being the cavernous sized talent gap between Notre Dame and Alabama. Notre Dame has talent that can go toe-to-toe with Alabama. If that talent is put in position from a coaching standpoint to play to its potential the Irish can stay in this game and will be in position to potentially pull off the upset at the end.

That means quarterback Ian Book is playing well, the lines are getting after Alabama and the Irish stars are playing like stars. In the video at the top of the article and/or the podcast at the bottom we dive deeper into the issue of Notre Dame's talent vs. Alabama's, so check that out.

Prediction #2: Alabama 47, Notre Dame 20

Notre Dame also had the talent to beat Clemson in the ACC title game and to play the Tigers much more competitively in the Cotton Bowl after the 2018 season. The problem is in these games Notre Dame has not played to its talent level, and the result has been blowout after blowout.

Uninspiring coaching and quarterback play in these big games has often been Notre Dame's undoing. Until that changes the Irish will continue to come up short, and often in embarrassing fashion. If the trend of the last 11 seasons continues the Crimson Tide will eventually wear down the Irish defense and pull away with a convincing victory.

VINCE DEDARIO, FOOTBALL ANALYST

Prediction: Alabama 45, Notre Dame 17

Here is the toughest prediction I will write this season. Bryan and I have broken down this game from every possible direction and while there are some glimmers of hope that the Notre Dame offense can take advantage of the Alabama defense I just do not see it happening. 

I was very shaken by the performance of the Irish offense against Clemson both from the quarterback position and the offensive coordinator spot. There were just no adjustments to what Clemson was doing and the plays that were being called just were not being executed. The red zone was another spot that was just dreadful. 

I have faith in defensive coordinator Clark Lea and the defense that they will have a bounce-back performance but a "success" for this group is holding Alabama in the 30's. Can the offense score more than that and make this a game? I don't think so. As much as it pains me, this will be the last Notre Dame game of the season. I wonder who will start at QB September 5 in Tallahassee??

BRIAN SMITH, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Alabama 38, Notre Dame 24

Notre Dame will do its best to play ball control and keep the football away from electric wide receiver DeVonta Smith and the Alabama offense, but it’s still a matter of not enough talented defensive backs to match up with the Crimson Tide.

In short, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton cannot defend all the deep passes. Alabama Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian will attempt to isolate Shaun Crawford when possible, as he’s the most susceptible Irish secondary member to giving up bombs.

Smith, as well as wide receiver John Metchie, will test the Irish deep secondary early and often. Considering how well the Crimson Tide pass protect, there’s likely to be ample time for Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones to throw the football.

Notre Dame will attempt to take away talented running back Najee Harris and likely do a good job. It’s those bombs that matter, however, and there’s no reason to believe Notre Dame possesses the experience and talent at cornerback and safety to defend Alabama’s perimeter speed play after play.

Offensively, Notre Dame will see success against a solid but not great Alabama defense by running Kyren Williams, although he’s not going to go for a huge yardage total. Hopefully the Irish attempt to place the ball in the hands of freshman running back Chris Tyree in the passing game and running game, as he’s by far Notre Dame’s most explosive player. The Irish passing game needs the run game to set up big plays.

The Crimson Tide will try to keep Ian Book in the pocket and force him to be a pro-style quarterback, while bringing a plethora of different blitz looks, similar to what Clemson did. If Book is not able to create outside of the pocket it will hinder Notre Dame’s offense.

Will Notre Dame be able to hit some big shots down the field? Will Michael Mayer catch his first deep pass in a Notre Dame uniform? The Irish will certainly throw deep to Javon McKinley and probably Ben Skrowonek as well.

In the end, Alabama has better perimeter skill players at wide receiver and cornerback (Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain will be a high draft pick), and that will be the biggest difference. It will not be a drubbing like so many Notre Dame haters desire, but the Crimson Tide will win comfortably.

NATHAN ATKINS, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Alabama 49, Notre Dame 30

Alabama is seeking its sixth national championship, and head coach Nick Saban is seeking his seventh – which would break Bear Bryant’s record. The first step will be getting past Notre Dame. 

The Fighting Irish defense will have a formidable challenge in front of them with quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The Crimson Tide season's theme should be, après kickoff, le déluge because they've flooded defenses in the first quarter this season, outscoring opponents 132-37. 

Not only will Notre Dame need to survive the first quarter to have a chance. Don't expect this game to mirror 2012, but it will be tough for the Irish to walk away victorious - they'll need a bit of luck.

JP SCOTT, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Alabama 48, Notre Dame 23

Notre Dame is one of the best four teams in the country. The problem is, they aren't one of the best two. I've thought Alabama was head and shoulders ahead of everyone for most of the season. Their offensive line is as good as there is in the country, and their skill players are the best in the country. The defense is loaded with future NFL talent. And my hot take: Mac Jones is a better passer than Trevor Lawrence.

All of that leads me to think that Alabama is going to slowly, methodically, beat the Irish into submission. It's not the result I want, but barring something or several things going very wrong for the Tide, I think it's the result we're going to get.

RYAN PALMERI, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Alabama 38, Notre Dame 10

Notre Dame looked to be turning the corner with the win against Clemson in the regular season. Then it all came crashing back down to normal under Brian Kelly in the conference championship game. 

If Notre Dame shows up, stops the run and the offense can move the ball, they stand a chance. However, Notre Dame doesn't show up against elite teams under Kelly. As much as I want Notre Dame to just play to their potential, I wouldn't bet on it.

Here is the previous analysis of the matchup:

Keys To Victory For The Notre Dame Offense vs. Alabama
Keys To Victory For The Notre Dame Defense vs. Alabama

Stacking Up: Notre Dame Offense vs. Alabama Defense
Stacking Up: Notre Dame Defense vs. Alabama Offense

Notre Dame vs Alabama: Recruiting Comparison - In this feature I broke down the starting lineup and top rotation players for both Notre Dame and Alabama from a recruiting standpoint

Midweek Musings - Offense Edition
Midweek Musings - Defense Edition

WSBT: Talking Chris Tyree, ND vs. Alabama and More
Stopping The Run Is Priority No. 1 Notre Dame vs. Alabama
Notre Dame OL Must Live Up To Its Hype Against Alabama
Notre Dame Offense Is The Key To A Rose Bowl Upset
Notre Dame Preparing For Elite Alabama CB Patrick Surtain

Notre Dame Has Yet Another Opportunity To Show It Belongs

Brian Kelly Updates Notre Dame's Injury Status

PODCAST: How the Notre Dame offense matches up against the Alabama defense

PODCAST: How the Notre Dame defense matches up against the Alabama offense
PODCAST: Opponent Insider - Alabama Crimson Tide
PODCAST: Keys To Victory - Notre Dame Offense
PODCAST: Keys To Victory - Notre Dame Defense

Notre Dame Depth Chart
Alabama Depth Chart

Series History

First Glance: Alabama Crimson Tide
First Glance: Alabama Offense
First Glance: Alabama Defense

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