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Anything can happen but a 2012 redux is quite likely if we get to the Championship game.
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I guess that's why the Big 10 canceled the rivalry game and sent Michigan to today's conference championship.
I don't think this Alabama team is unbeatable. Are they very good? Yes, they are very, very good. This Irish team is pretty good as well.
In addition, this Alabama team may be even better than that one.
We would lose 45-17 or something similar. Bama and Clemson are just a level above everyone else.
Always hard to compare because the level of competition is variable.
Statistically, the 2018 pass defense is slightly better than 2012- same yards per game given up and 0.2 TDs per game fewer given up through the air.
The rushing defense in 2018 has given up 27 yards per game more than the 2012 team. The big difference is that 2018 team has given up roughly 1 rushing TD per game more than the 2012 team. Thus the difference through 12 games in points allowed- 207 in 2018 vs. 124 in 2012
Since it takes offense and defense, the net positive yards total offense per game (yards gained vs yards given up) in 2018 was +17 yards per game vs 2012. The point differential for ND vs opponents in 2018 is virtually the same as through 12 games in 2012, +16.5 ppg 2018 vs +16.4 ppg 2012.
I don't think the 2018 ND team overall takes a back seat to the 2012 team. I hope they get to play Alabama in the playoffs and since everyone seems to say this is the best Alabama team ever under Saban it will be interesting to see if ND really does sustain another 28 point loss.
a number of factors, the very least of which is how good 'they' actually think the two teams are (ie, they know the last time we played them in NC we were embarrassed and that this will influence more money going Bama way, so they make line higher to discourage money from going that way).
Having said that, to my eyes Bama looks clearly better than us (more glaring to the 'eye test' than going into NC in '12) but, how many common opponents have we faced? Sometimes the eye test can be misleading if they are no common benchmarks, and that's what we need to hope the case is IF we get past Clemson.
But I wouldn't say we are outclassed by them any more than Clemson, Georgia, Tosu, OU, or michigan would be.
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Are they a better team in general, on paper, right now? Yes.
Are they unbeatable? No. The Irish can beat them, so they are not outclassed.
Was the Citadel outclassed by Alabama for 30 minutes? No. Can Notre Dame go longer than the Citadel? Clearly yes.
The Fightin' Irish need to believe first, and then execute second, and they can absolutely beat the Tide.
Alabama’s secondary is average, especially the corners, fortunately their defensive line is good not great, so the ND offensive line issues may not show up against ‘Bama. The way to beat them is through the air. Anyone who has beaten them has done it throwing the ball and Book might be the most accurate passer in CFB. In the other side, ND would have to keep them in the 20’s. ND has NFL talent at every level and should be able to compete. LSU held them to 29 and the ND defense is better than LSU. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but the “‘Bama is unbeatable talk” is over stated.
Will start in the NFL
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