A national title football game was played Monday night in Miami. After a few minutes ticked off the clock in the opening quarter however, a showcase was on hand for college football’s preeminent program and head coach. Alabama’s big boys up front broke Notre Dame’s will in the trenches. Eddie Lacey and T.J. Yeldon broke ankles and arms while racking up 248-yards and two scores on the ground. Amari Cooper busted coverage. AJ McCarron’s national reputation and love life busted out all over the paying and home-viewing audience.
The final result of an Alabama win (seventh straight national title for the SEC) was not a surprise, yet the undeniable dominating route taken was every bit the shocker. The Irish were the feel good story. The barrenness for a proud program was expected to continue if you were to check their preseason temperature among media and fans alie. It was a season however where the Notre Dame love and hate were in full force. Led by the impressive Manti Te’o, the Irish headed into the national title game with an unblemished 12-0 record complete with nail biters and goal line stands. They had a freshman signal caller in Everett Golson who had overcome in-game benchings. There was a highly-touted defensive front, some would dare compare to that of an SEC outfit. Surely they would run, pass and tackle like it was 1988. Continue reading
THE MARSHALL REVIEW 