The rest of the country fixates on the famous “SEC speed,” but Alabama knows the real secret to domination is muscle.
The No. 2 Crimson Tide overpowered No. 1 Notre Dame’s defense to win the BCS National Championship Game 42-14 at Sun Life Stadium. It is Alabama’s third title in four years and the seventh straight for the SEC.
The Tide barreled through a Notre Dame defense that was No. 4 in the country against the run. From the opening drive, the Alabama offensive line took what it wanted and ultimately shoved its way to 265 rushing yards.
“The trenches are what sets the SEC apart more than anything,” Alabama center Barrett Jones said. “Obviously we have speed on the edges, but there’s so many good players inside. Notre Dame was one of the best front sevens we faced all year, but we played really well.”
It was the Tide’s fourth-highest rushing total of the season. More telling, though, was that it was the most Notre Dame had given up by more than 100 yards.
Alabama’s line was so strong that it was the only team in major college football with two 1,000-yard running backs this season. Both shined in the title game as well. Eddie Lacy ran for 140 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts, while T.J. Yeldon rushed 21 times for 108 yards and a score.
Alabama (13-1) intended to outmuscle the Irish and proved it was possible on the opening drive. It took less than three minutes to go 82 yards — 53 of them on the ground — and take a 7-0 lead.
“We wanted to hit them early and that’s what we did,” Jones said. “Couldn’t be happier with the way we started the game and kept beating on them.”
Minutes later, the Tide led 14-0. Then 21-0. Then 28-0 on a dump pass to Lacy at the line of scrimmage that he turned into an 11-yard touchdown just before halftime.
At that point, the Irish (12-1) were done. They were allowing 6.7 rushing yards per carry. Their crowd was numb.
When Alabama receiver Amari Cooper walked back onto the field after halftime, he noticed five Notre Dame defenders listlessly staring at his team.
“They had that look in their eyes that they didn’t want to play anymore,” he said.
It was nearly finished. The Irish ignited hope as they pushed into Alabama territory to start the second half, but Tide defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix intercepted a pass at the 3-yard line.
From there, Alabama eliminated any lofty idea of a comeback. The Crimson Tide hammered its way into Notre Dame territory and AJ McCarron threw the knockout punch with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Cooper.
“You could tell it was close to over,” Jones said.
Jones is the leader. He leaves as a four-year starter with three national championship rings. He is the face — and the gut — of perhaps the most fearsome offensive line in America.
He also hobbles away with legacy of relentlessness. Despite having torn ligaments in his left foot, missing the game was never an option.
“It was painful, but you couldn’t have pulled me off this field with a tractor,” he said, standing amid a flurry of crimson and white confetti.
McCarron finished 20 of 28 for 264 yards and four touchdown passes. His protectors, with an average size of 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, gave him time all night.
“You’d like to play behind ‘em, huh?” he joked. “I love those guys. They do a hell of a job for me.”
