Live from the BCS title game, where the Irish have landed
The view from my seat. There are several more folks in the stands now. (Panoramic photo by M. Bradley)
Miami Gardens, Fla. – Maybe it was because this correspondent spent more time counting ocean waves than hanging out on South Beach, but it was hard to get a read on the fans. I saw far more Alabama folks walking around, and it wasn’t until Sunday that I saw more than a few Notre Dame shirts. (And I’d even gone to Mass, where there were actually more folks wearing crimson. Go figure.)
That changed today. When the first media bus rolled into the parking lot at Sun Life Stadium — that’s what this place, which has known many names, is now called — at 3:40 p.m., we saw Irish fans by the boatload. If I had to guess, I’d say the crowd will be 55-45 Bama, but I’m bad at estimating crowds.
I’m sometimes bad at predicting games, too, but the responsibility to offer a pick comes with the job. I’m on video record with Noah Coslov of CineSport as taking the Tide to win 17-10, but I’ve covered a few of these BCS title games and I know the favorite doesn’t always win. (Exhibit A: USC in January 2006; Exhibit B, Ohio State in the desert the next year.)
OK, enough of me. I’ll be here until a national champ has been identified, and I’d appreciate the company. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
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680 comments Add your comment
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:16 pm
Teo wouldn’t make Bama’s cheer leading squad.
82Dawg
January 7th, 2013
9:16 pm
I going to look for Duck Dynasty reruns…they would be better than this….N.D. has no business in this game…Come on play offs!
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:16 pm
How good is that Redzone Running Defense?
YES!
January 7th, 2013
9:16 pm
Irish fans you are more than welcome to leave the stadium now!
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
In other words, Alabama is on track to gain 812 yards — and score 84 points.
JDWJIM
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
Herbie keeps talking about how ND can’t do anything right.
Funny how that happens when the othe guys are bigger, stronger, faster and better.
stephen
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
going to be a shut out tonight. only question is will bama score 50
oldbird
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
Boy, Bama’s kicker just can’t put an extra point right down the middle. I am sure Saban will chew his butt at halftime.
YES!
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
ND is pathetic!
Mighty SEC
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
if anyone thinks ND can come back from 21 down against a SEC power then your just crazy
Ghost of Sinkwich
January 7th, 2013
9:17 pm
5 Yards Bulldogs, Darn it What might have been?
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
George Atkinson, III should be getting sick of fielding kickoffs
dawgfan
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
This game is a complete farce. Notre Dame is a joke.
gadawg
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
All I have heard is how amazing Irish defense is. How many of them would start for UGA?
Business Dawg
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
Mark, are the physical and talent differences as obvious in person as they are in TV?
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
Good Throw from ND!
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
Yes, Business Dawg. This is domination.
JDW
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
Not to worry Mark I am guessing they stop around 50 and the Domers might get one along the way.
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:18 pm
Bama might be letting up already
Bradley Curse
January 7th, 2013
9:19 pm
“What might have been?”
the easiest NC title in history?
jbill
January 7th, 2013
9:19 pm
Mr. Mosley is he!!….
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:19 pm
Mosely is a BEAST!
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:19 pm
ND going on fourth-and-five.
Fein
January 7th, 2013
9:19 pm
Scott Novak is applying for his SEC job
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
Tide players should go to Confession for what they are doing to Irish.
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
Notre Dame went for it on fourth down with 13 1/2 minutes left in the FIRST HALF.
Big Crimson 75
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
Terrible call by Kelly.
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
Can anyone say 28-0 Very Soon!
DawgNole
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:14 pm
This has to make EVERYONE wonder: Should UGA jump everyone and land at No. 2 in the final polls if this continues?
_________________
Not much chance of that after the way Oregon looked.
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
Perfect pass defense
The Meck
January 7th, 2013
9:21 pm
Mark .. Thanks for your great coverage/articles on the Crimson Tide. –
Bama-Notre Dame? A big game. Nick Saban? Even bigger | Mark Bradley – AJC.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2013/01/06/bama-notre-dame-a-big-game-nick-saban-even-bigger/?src=cb_section
- Doesn’t look like the Tide will need Cornelius Bennett for its 2nd win against ND. Meck
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:21 pm
Pour it on Tide.
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:22 pm
I actually applaud Kelly for going for it. Notre Dame has to try to make a big play — that’s the only chance it has.
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:22 pm
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:20 pm
Notre Dame went for it on fourth down with 13 1/2 minutes left in the FIRST HALF.
The game was over after Alabama’s Second Touchdown and Kelly Knows it.
Business Dawg
January 7th, 2013
9:22 pm
Well Mark, I’m in Raleigh this week watching with a collected assortment of fans (NC, OSU, OU in the hotel and it is blatantly apparent who the more conditioned, more talented team is. Looks a lot like UGA vs Hawaii in the Sugar.
Marielena
January 7th, 2013
9:22 pm
gadawg at UGA Manti Teo couldn’t come close to taking Ogletree’s spot. OVERRATED!
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:23 pm
Notre Dame hadn’t given up more than 20 points in regulation this season. It gave up 21 in 15 minutes and four seconds.
gy6
January 7th, 2013
9:23 pm
who farking cares.
FarTrain
January 7th, 2013
9:24 pm
This is like going to a heavyweight boxing match, and there’s a knockout in the first round. All you are seeing now is $$ where your eyeballs used to be, and you’re thinking “I paid $1500 for this?”
Fein
January 7th, 2013
9:25 pm
Oh finally a hold
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:25 pm
On the one hand, this game has become a raging dud. On the other, we are watching a great team at work.
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:26 pm
Pretty obvious hold
OakhurstDawg
January 7th, 2013
9:26 pm
Mark, can you hear everyone across America changing channels from where you are down there?
Big Crimson 75
January 7th, 2013
9:27 pm
There goes your field position
Todd grantham
January 7th, 2013
9:27 pm
Irish can’t do anything right.
Mark Bradley
January 7th, 2013
9:28 pm
I’m thinking the first quarter ratings for this game will surpass the fourth quarter ones.
FarTrain
January 7th, 2013
9:28 pm
I’m not one to say “I told you so”, but I did inform ye thusly. ND is in the same league with the Florida Gators. OVERRATED !!!! The BCS screwed up big time this year with their computer rankings after #1. Not even close!
Bama14
January 7th, 2013
9:28 pm
That’s Ed Hochuli’s son reffing tonight, isn’t it?
Fein
January 7th, 2013
9:28 pm
Novak must of got a call from Steve Shaw telling him to make it look a little better
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
9:28 pm
Mark B.
Just Think; This was suppose to be a “Transistional Year” for Alabama and 2013 was going to be the Year they were going to be Good!…Others should be afraid of what is building in Tuscaloosa.
UGA loses 9 off defense this year, Alabama lost 9 off last years team…..lets compare in 12 months.