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
DILLIGAF
January 7th, 2013
10:02 pm
What I think Chip Kelly meant to say was, ” maybe Bama won’t come back out”….”of the locker room”.
UGA85′
GATA!
Prometheus
January 7th, 2013
10:02 pm
Todd, same as always, way behind Bama.
dawgfan
January 7th, 2013
10:02 pm
RIP Notre Dame football. Good luck in the ACC. That’s probably more your speed anyway.
phil
January 7th, 2013
10:03 pm
Our problem – georgia – is that IF we make the title game, say, next year, we’d lose!
We can’t win for losing as it is so why not.
I can’t believe we had Bama beat and didn’t even give ourselves a chance. Well, yeah I can with Richt in charge.
Has Herbstreet's woody over M'Tao wilted?
January 7th, 2013
10:03 pm
Herbstreet voted for M’Tao as the best player in college football. He also said he was the ‘highest regarded’ linebacker in college football. I think Herbstreet is a fool. And the play of M’Tao tonight confirms it. He is the most over hyped player in a decade. He could not wash Olgeltree’s jock. He would not start on AL. He would not start on LSU. Has anyone ever seen him in any coverage other than a zone?
Larry
January 7th, 2013
10:03 pm
Here’s the best news…it is now past 10:00 pm EST and I can go get a good nights rest knowing the inevitable winner.
And aside from a totally lopsided game, could the have chosen two more unqualified announcers?
GOT 15 ?
January 7th, 2013
10:03 pm
Have the Seahawks scored on the Falcons yet?
ROLLLLLLLLLLL !!!!
TIDE !!!!
Big Crimson 75
January 7th, 2013
10:04 pm
Maybe this isn’t the night to say it, butt I do like Coach Kelly.
How he got this Team un-defeated is actually pretty impressive!!
Of course, if ND is in our Conference, their likely not 12 & 0.
Marielena
January 7th, 2013
10:04 pm
Could Te’o even start in the SEC? Maybe at Kentucky or Missouri.
Charlie Weis
January 7th, 2013
10:04 pm
If I was coaching, Notre Dame would only be losing by 21!!
bamaguy
January 7th, 2013
10:04 pm
SEC rules! Hail Mary full of grace, Notre Dame has put in their place.
me
January 7th, 2013
10:05 pm
@phil “I can’t believe we had Bama beat and didn’t even give ourselves a chance. Well, yeah I can with Richt in charge.”
Hey Phil. You were born and dumb azz and continue to fulfill your destiny.
phil
January 7th, 2013
10:05 pm
Where is idiot Lee Corso and his green hat?
Fire him now!!
BravesFan79
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
This game was easy 2 predict, ND has a QB who cant throw the ball for crap (just like LSU last year!) If Saban wants to really prove himself as a great coach, he leaves for the NFL, takes over the Cleveland Browns, and wins a Super Bowl within 10 years! Then i can again root for Alabama because they wont have a money grabbing traitor as head coach.
Prometheus
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
All you SECers grab hold of Bama’s coattails, you bunch of redheaded stepchildren.
phil
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
me, you haven’t the sense that God gave most rocks….
Spare yourself and go clean some toilets.
Big Crimson 75
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
Phil — how bout Lacy in a Falcon jersey next year!!?
me
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
And some “experts” actually voted to name M’Tao the best player in college football. Just shows how corrupt the system is.
oldfart
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
I know it is sour grapes at this point but this kind of proves out that UGA really did get shafted on the bowl thing. They actually gave Alabama’s defense a challenge. I know the big Mo is still a factor with college kids but so far Notre Dame is looking like they have played in a lower division.
Big Crimson 75
January 7th, 2013
10:08 pm
Phil — better yet, how bout Lacy in a Falcon jersey this weekend!!
GOT 15 ?
January 7th, 2013
10:08 pm
Urban Meyer sure has aged and gotten gray since Ohio State’ season ended.
Does he have a tattoo of Tim Tebow wearing a Mark Sanchez on his arm, too?
Urban & Tim need to go back to kissing each other.
Coach Saban gets to kiss Miss Terry.
ROLLLLLLLLLLL !!!!
TIDE !!!!
7576DAWG
January 7th, 2013
10:08 pm
The ESPN reporter asked the Notre Dame coach going in at half, What up with your Defense? Brian Kelly said , We are not tackling like we have all year.
The real answer should have been , Notre Dame isn’t going to bring SEC running backs down by ARM TACKLING.
pete
January 7th, 2013
10:09 pm
I could really care less what happens in this bogus game tonight. Beating Notre Dame doesn’t prove anything to me. Oregon and Texas A&M are my #1 teams. A&M beat Bama and Oregon’s loss was far less ugly than Alabama’s loss. Let Alabama beat Oregon and then they can be #1. Until then, Oregon’s my #1. Wake me up when we have a playoff. This game is a joke. I’m watching the Bachelor .
Marielena
January 7th, 2013
10:10 pm
A leprechaun over on Yahoo sports bet me his house that ND would win this morning. Anybody on here move houses?
fbGuy
January 7th, 2013
10:10 pm
ND is so overrated. Teo is a jock carrier compared to Jarvis. Bama is awesome. PleasE KEEP ND OFF TV.
meagain
January 7th, 2013
10:11 pm
Funny to hear the idiot’s on TV talking about the running backs, quarter backs and M’Tao. And the AL offensive and defensive lines are controlling the game. Half of the SEC QB’s could have done the same against ND slow defense if they played behind the AL line. Half of the SEC RB’s would look like Jim Brown if they ran behind the AL line.
NICK SABAN: The Most-Interesting Coach in the World
January 7th, 2013
10:11 pm
I don’t always play for the BCS National Championship…
Oh, wait.
Yes, I do.
Stay CRIMSON, My Friends.
Marielena
January 7th, 2013
10:11 pm
But I need to brush up on my picking. I’m already 2 TDs off.
BobDawg
January 7th, 2013
10:12 pm
Looks like the Nat’l Championship game was the SEC game….. Now that was drama and great action…This is going according to the script and over…..Great Job, Bama! Thanks for putting us in the top 5 or better!
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
10:12 pm
My Top Ten at Half Time of the BCSCG:
Alabama
Georgia
Texas A&M
South Carolina
Oregon
Clemson
Stanford
LSU- if they fired Les Miles before Half Time of this game is up( what a bonehead Coach)
Vanderbilt- based on their final 4 games- yes do not laugh to hard
Louisville
FSU
Tie between the final 3
Felix
January 7th, 2013
10:12 pm
Notre Dame looks like a High School team compared to Bama. What a joke of a game. The expressions on some of the Irish faces, since the first 10 minutes, has been one of total submission. Could their be a better indictment of the BCS points system than this game? Texas A & M, LSU, Georgia, Oregon, South Carolina and probably Clemson and FSU are better than Notre Dame.
Skiddo
January 7th, 2013
10:12 pm
Bama players will be signing autographs for other SEC players after the Super Bowl.
phil
January 7th, 2013
10:12 pm
Amen, Big Crimson 75!!
Sign the dude up!
Congrats on yet another title, barring the unthinkable…
meagain
January 7th, 2013
10:13 pm
WTF is Urban Myer doing on this game? This is complete BS and is an unfair advantage. The guy ran FL’s program into the ground and won only because of Tebow. This punk then ran away once he lost his star. What a piece of garbage.
Skiddo
January 7th, 2013
10:13 pm
Watch, Urban is only hope for presenting challenge in future for Saban.
Felix
January 7th, 2013
10:14 pm
Throw Louisville in there too (as better than the Irish).
phil
January 7th, 2013
10:14 pm
NICK SABAN: The Most-Interesting Coach in the World
January 7th, 2013
10:11 pm
I don’t always play for the BCS National Championship…
Oh, wait.
Yes, I do.
Stay CRIMSON, My Friends.
***********
funny!
SEC Dominance
January 7th, 2013
10:14 pm
BravesFan79
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
This game was easy 2 predict, ND has a QB who cant throw the ball for crap (just like LSU last year!) If Saban wants to really prove himself as a great coach, he leaves for the NFL, takes over the Cleveland Browns, and wins a Super Bowl within 10 years! Then i can again root for Alabama because they wont have a money grabbing traitor as head coach.
____________________________________________
I guess your rectum still hurts from the SECCG!
They make something for that……Preparation H or Analese…but you are familiar with both.
BobDawg
January 7th, 2013
10:14 pm
ESPN is acting like its a funeral out there…. It’s just another Big 10/ACC team getting schooled….
JDW
January 7th, 2013
10:14 pm
Desmond has a handle on it…”This is just a good ol’ fashioned butt kicking”
Big Crimson 75
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
This thing isn’t over yet.
We have a tendency to sleep on big halftime leads.
See the ‘09 BCS Title Game
meagain
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
Saban wins because he has the best players. Not because he is the best coach. When he was in the NFL, where the teams are fairly even in talent, he couldn’t do crap. FACT.
You saw how great that D was against UGA in the last minute of the SEC game.
7576DAWG
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
Notre Dame can not even come close to handling Alabama’s speed and their Offensive line is dominating Notre Dames Defense.
Make us proud Bama. SEC RULES. They should have matched Oregon with Alabama.
Looks like the SEC Championship game was the real National Championship game. Notre Dame will be real tired in the second half and I look for this to get a lot worst.
All I can say is if the final polls are done right Notre Dame should fall out of the top 10. Notre Dame would have lost to at least 4 if not 5 SEC teams.
JDW
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
The really scary thing…all the pundits felt ND matched up better against AL than the Dawgs.
Marielena
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
Ball don’t lie. Te’o stole the awards. Jones and Ogletree will get the NFL bucks. Jones is a lock but Ogletree goes higher than Te’o in April.
Manti Te'o
January 7th, 2013
10:16 pm
“Man, my draft status is dropping…”
phil
January 7th, 2013
10:17 pm
It’s over….
Business Dawg
January 7th, 2013
10:17 pm
Hey Kimmel, I think Most ND fans would thank you for covering up the TV
lees
January 7th, 2013
10:17 pm
Urban Myer ….Mr. Charisma……….Sheeeeez!
dale in newnan
January 7th, 2013
10:18 pm
Simply put. Too Big, Too Fast, Too Strong.