Alabama has both a great defense and a great offense. Notre Dame has a great defense and an average offense.
That says that ND will give up more points than does Alabama, and that means that ‘Bama will win.
However, Brian Kelly knows that preparation for just one game deciding it all is the place to create unheard of razzle-dazzle. If Kelly’s razzle-dazzle works, then ND could be in this game. A graduate of Cincinnati, Kelly’s last head coaching job, I do agree that Kelly is an offensive genius, and the one who might be just the guy to create the tricksiest trick-plays of this young century.
Alabama by 7.
And that's the kicker - if (when) ND gets behind by 2 scores, they won't have the firepower to respond. Their best shot is if they can somehow punch Bama in the mouth early, then hang on (like Texas A&M did).
My bet: Alabama does the early punching and then wears down the ND defense in the third and fourth quarters. 31-16.
Razzle-dazzle? What’s that, like shock and awe? Maybe then Bama will hit them back with insurgency and improvised explosive offense.