You're Punching a One Way Ticket to the National Championship? Not so Fast my Friend!

It's pretty clear who the majority of sports writers, analysts and fans think we will see play for the National Championship in early 2014. The team who seems to always play for that Crystal Ball, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the team who went undefeated last season but due to a post season ban wasn't allowed to play for the National title, the Ohio State Buckeyes. A few people may disagree, but if they make predictions of the National title game they will most likely at least have Alabama or Ohio State in the game.

It makes sense right? The Crimson Tide have won two straight National titles. They've been dominant. And players such as quarterback AJ McCarron, running back TJ Yeldon and wide receiver Amari Cooper are just three of Bama's star players. Their defense was ranked first in the Nation in points allowed per game, only allowing an average of 10.9 points, first in rush defense, only allowing 76.4 yards a game, and first in total defense, allowing only an average of 250.0 yards per game.

Alabama only lost one game. A close one against Heisman Trophy winner (and 2012 Project CFB QB of the Year as well as Freshman of the Year) Johnny Manziel and his Texas A&M Aggies. A&M only defeated the Crimson Tide by five points, but a loss is a loss.

But let's look into Alabama's 2012 year a little more shall we? They went 13-1, 7-1 in the SEC. They beat teams such as LSU, Georgia (in the SEC Championship Game) and Notre Dame (by 28 points in the National Championship Game). However, if you look more into this you will see that Alabama only defeated Les Miles' LSU Tigers by four points. They also defeated the Bulldogs for the SEC title by the same amount, four points. One or two small mistakes could have been the difference between winning and losing in those two games. The same that could be said about this year.
Alabama plays seven games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, four away games and one game at a neutral site. They begin their year taking on Virginia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. On paper Bama looks like the clear cut winner, but if Logan Thomas and company can find their rhythm against the Crimson Tide and stay on top, they could pull the upset. But even if Alabama gets by Virginia Tech, they open their SEC schedule in week two against Johnny Manziel and his Texas A&M Aggies, this time at College Station. The Aggies could very well make it two straight victories against Bama, especially playing on their home field this time around.

Alabama's schedule is sprinkled in with a couple more tough opponents. After A&M they will play against Colorado State, Ole Miss and Georgia State. All three should be easily won. After that they play Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee, three teams with first year head coaches, and although it's their first years at their respective schools, they have been improving their schools from day one. After those three games Alabama will battle LSU in what's sure to be a tough one, followed by Mississippi State and Chattanooga. They will wrap the season up on November 30 with the Iron Bowl, at Auburn. This heated rivalry game favors Alabama this year, but with a rivalry game like this, you just never know.

So if you counted, there are four games on Bama's schedule that could possibly ruin their National Title hopes. Will Alabama be defeated in 2013? I can't say for certain. They are arguably the best team in college football this year, but to say that they will most definitely run the table this fall is just not wise.

Now, onto the other team that seems oh so certain to play for a National Title. Urban Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are stacked with some amazing playmakers. Quarterback Braxton Miller is an impressive dual threat QB perfect for an Urban Meyer style offense. Philly Brown is a reliable wide receiver for Miller, and as long as Carlos Hyde plays this season (he was a person of interest in an assault at a bar that may or may not have happened), Hyde could possibly rush for 1,000 yards. Ryan Shazier is also a big playmaker on the other side of the ball. He recorded 70 tackles and five sacks last season.

Unlike Bama, OSU went undefeated last season. However, they played their fair share of very close games. OSU won two games in OT (beating Purdue and Wisconsin by seven). They also survived against Cal by seven, Michigan State by one, Indiana by only three and Michigan by just five.

Many of these games could have been a loss for the Buckeyes if just one mistake was made. With Braxton Miller only completing 58.3% of his passes, I can say with confidence that they are lucky they didn't lose one of these close games.

The Bucks start their 2013 season off fairly easily. Playing against Buffalo and San Diego State followed by an away game against Cal. After that they take on Florida A&M and should go into their Big Ten opener undefeated. Ohio State's first B1G game is a home game against Gary Andersen's Wisconsin Badgers. A game that if the Buckeyes take lightly they could find themselves on the short end of the stick.

After the Badgers, OSU travels to Ryan Field to take on the Northwestern Wildcats. This is another game that I feel if Ohio State looks past, Kain Colter and his Wildcats could pull the upset. Next OSU battles Iowa before hosting Penn State in Columbus. Penn State, led by 2012 Project CFB Coach of the Year Bill O'Brien is yet another team on the Buckeyes' schedule that if they take lightly they can wind up defeated.

After the Nittany Lions, Ohio State wraps their season up with road games against Purdue and Illinois, a home game against Indiana and The Game against the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Michigan is definitely on an upswing. Devin Gardner has taken the starting QB position, and although his pass percentage is only slightly better than Braxton Miller's, he will be ready and willing to take the Buckeyes down.

Just like Alabama, Ohio State has four games that seem to be games of interest, and if they don't prepare or if they take them lightly, they can see their hopes of a National Championship dwindle away.

Will Alabama and/or Ohio State play in the National Championship game? They absolutely could. They have the talent to do just that. But is it a lock? Absolutely not. Both teams play a few teams that they could lose to. But as long as they keep their heads in the game and stick to their game plan, they very well could face off for the National Championship in 2014.

- Matt Lytle
@mattlytle
matt.projectcfb@gmail.com

Who You See in the National Title Game?

Last week we asked you to chime in on who you think we will see play in this season's National Championship Game. We went over your responses and here are the ones we thought were the best.

Courtney from Florida

You can't overlook how awesome Alabama is. I definitely see them making it to the title game. I also see Georgia making it to the National Championship, although I think they will lose to 'Bama in the SEC Title game.

Mike from Ohio

I have 3 picks. First off Urban Meyer will lead the OSU Buckeyes to another undefeated season and on to the National Championship Game. The other pick is where the question lies. If Louisville  can go undefeated, I see them playing OSU in the title game. But if they stumble then Alabama will take on the Buckeyes in the most awaited game of the decade. 

Ben from Boston

I'm going to go with a couple of off the wall picks here. Tajh Boyd leads the Clemson Tigers to play Teddy Bridgewater and the Louisville Cardinals. Mark it down!

MonikaAndrews from Detroit

I see Michigan shocking the college football world, going undefeated and upsetting Alabama in the National Title Game.

CKW from Knoxville

As much as I would love to see my Vols go to the title game, I think the Texas Longhorns are going to surprise a lot of people and ein the National Championship,  beating Ohio State in the big game.

Thank you to everyone that participated in this topic. Stay tuned for more interactions in our upcoming articles

- Project CFB
@projectcfb
projectcfb@yahoo.com

The First Ever Project CFB Roundtable

This is our first attempt at this, so lets just have fun and see what happens. I'm not sure if anything like this has ever really been done before, but hopefully it's a fairly new and fresh idea.

MATT

First of all I want to go into who we see in the National Championship Game. We are a ways out from the beginning of the season but we can see how close we get.

I can't imagine a National Championship Game that doesn't involve Nick Saban's Crimson Tide again. Alabama has been quite dominant over the past few years and I don't see 2013 being any different. I also feel like Ohio State has another good shot at going undefeated like they did last season. I'm going to go ahead and predict Bama vs OSU in the National Championship, with Alabama coming out victorious.

As far as the Heisman goes, I see Alabama coming away with this as well, as sophomore TJ Yeldon will do incredible things this season.

What do you guys think?

JACKSON

Alabama is a great team, no doubt. But this year I see them finally NOT winning the BCS Championship. And although I do see them getting past Virginia Tech and Texas A&M early in the season, they'll be handed a few defeats in the SEC, most notably by Auburn and LSU.

 

I honestly see Oregon and Notre Dame slipping down in the rankings, and opening up spots for teams like Clemson, Florida State and LSU. I'm going to go with a dark horse pick here (in my opinion), and I'm going to say that Clemson will make it to the National Championship game, taking on the LSU Tigers, and I see Clemson coming out on top!

 

Speaking of Clemson, I have their amazing quarterback Tajh Boyd winning the Heisman. I'm kind of high on Clemson this season if you don't get that already. Lol 

JOSH

Alabama is a great team, and arguably the most talented roster in the country, and I honestly do see them winning the SEC, but I see a team like Georgia or Florida pushing them in the SEC championship coming off a likely very brutal iron bowl. But I see them making in through the SEC undefeated after surviving the championship game and the Texas A&M, LSU and Auburn tests in the conference. Facing off with them is my dark horse pick for the season, and that is UCLA. I see them building on the impressive 2012 campaign and win the Pac 12. But I see Alabama winning a 3rd straight championship.

As far as the Heisman goes, I see Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater having an all time great season for Louisville at the quarterback position, culminating in a Heisman Trophy.

MATT

Could Bridgewater have a disadvantage because he plays at Louisville? I know they don't look at Louisville like they're a league below, but could he get passed up for a player from Alabama, Florida State or Ohio State?

JOSH

I think that even with Louisville might not be among the top teams in the country, at the very least they are in one of the power conferences in the country, unlike Kellen Moore when he was at Boise State (which some still may look at as a lesser program compared to the BCS powers). Which could help him. I could however see Braxton Miller being a name that could give him a run for his money, just look at the last three Heisman winners; Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel. They are all dual threat quarterbacks, which if Miller has a Heisman caliber campaign in 2013, the rushing totals could make his case very convincing versus Bridgewater.

MATT

I think Teddy Bridgewater is an amazing athlete, and I really could see him be in the finalists for the Heisman, but how TJ Yeldon performed last season, even sitting behind Eddie Lacy and being a true freshman, I can't imagine him not coming up with the Heisman. Now that he'll take all the snaps at Alabama, unless he gets injured, I think he'll have it on lock. But that's the great thing about this game, you just never know!

JOSH

Very true. I do think Yeldon will be the preseason Heisman favorite in many peoples' eyes, but if the last few years are any indication, someone can come out of nowhere and take the country by storm. I mean, a year ago we were all think Matt Barkley had the Heisman on lock and the same goes for Andrew Luck the year before then BOOM! That's why we all love this game though, right?

A Short History of the BCS Championship

Not many things can stir up as much anger and debate among college football fans as these three letters: BCS. Bowl Championship Series. The governing body that looks over major college football and through a complicated process of polls, rankings (both human and computer) and what amounts to basically rocket science to most fans, they are able to crown a “national champion” even if it’s just in the BCS voters’ eyes.
               
Since the Bowl Championship Series took over for the equally controversial and flawed Bowl Alliance in 1998, they have been the governing body in crowning a national champion, and putting together all other bowl games. They have used the coaches and Harris polls as well as different computer polls to crown a national champion. Starting in 2006 however, they used the poll system in place to narrow down all the teams in Division I football from over 200 all the way down to 2 to play in what is known as the BCS National Championship game. Before the 2006 season, there wasn't a real “national championship” game. It was looked at among many some as a fictitious national championship at the time, but before the BCS National Championship Game tradition that began in 2006, the national championship was crowned by who won one of the 4 BCS bowls; Orange, Sugar, Rose and Fiesta, rotated annually.
               
In the Fiesta Bowl following the 1998 season, which is recognized as the first BCS national championship, #1 ranked SEC champion Tennessee were victorious over the 2nd ranked ACC champion Florida State Seminoles by a final score of 23-16. However, the Seminoles were victorious in the 1999 Sugar Bowl over the Big East winners Virginia Tech Hokies by a lopsided score of 46-29. The Seminoles would then make a 3rd straight appearance in the title game in 2000 as they faced the Big 12 Champion Oklahoma Sooners in the 2001 Orange Bowl. However, they would not be repeat champion as the Sooners prevailed over the Seminoles 13-2. This ended up being the last national championship appearance by legendary coach Bobby Bowden in a national championship game, he retired in 2009.
               
In the 2001 Rose Bowl, the top ranked Big East Champion Miami Hurricanes prevailed over the Big 12 co-champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in a dominating 37-14 performance. The U would then compete in the Fiesta Bowl the next year that was slated to be that seasons national championship against the Jim Tressel led, Big 10 co-champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Much like the hated Seminoles, the Hurricanes were not successful in the repeat attempt. They would fall to the Buckeyes 31-24 behind a phenomenal performance by Buckeyes quarterback Craig Krenzel. The next season, a familiar face in the national championship, the Oklahoma Sooners came in to the 2003 Sugar Bowl as the top ranked team in the country to face off the SEC champion LSU Tigers and head coach Nick Saban. Which was one the first major BCS controversies. In 2003 there were 3 one loss teams at the end of the season. The USC Trojans were also among those 3 teams with the best record in the nation. But LSU/Oklahoma was selected as the championship game. Many USC supporters actually protested the LSU/Oklahoma game. USC was victorious in the Rose Bowl that year 28-14 over the Michigan Wolverines. USC ended the year as #1 in the AP poll, but the Tigers were #1 in the coaches’ poll.
               

Reggie Bush was a big part of USC's success in 2004.

The very next season, technically doesn't exist anymore because of the sanctions against the University of Southern California because of the Reggie Bush scandal of a few years ago, when the #1 ranked Pac 10 champion Trojans faced the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2004 Orange Bowl. The 2004 national championship is still looked at as one of the most star studded of all time with 2003 Heisman trophy winning signal called Jason White dueling with the Trojans own signal caller Matt Leinart, who won the trophy the very next year. It also included two of the best college running backs of the last decade, the aforementioned Reggie Bush of USC, and the Sooners’ Adrian Peterson (who many feel may have been the best player in the country that season, but that’s a different discussion for a different day). This game also happened to feature 4 of the 5 finalists in the 2004 Heisman Trophy voting, the only excluded party being Utah’s signal called Alex Smith. Unfortunately, this offensive star power didn't equal a compelling game. With Jason White throwing 3 interceptions (the Sooners had 5 total turnovers) and Peterson rushing for a pedestrian 82 yards on 25 carries (for a very un-Peterson like 3.28 yards per carry), the Sooners just couldn't keep up with the high powered Trojan offense, behind the 5 touchdown passes from the Trojans’ Heisman Trophy winning quarterback (3 of which to wide receiver Steve Smith) and 525 yards of total offense, Pete Carroll’s Trojans cruised to a 55-19 victory and national championship.
               
The Trojans would be back in the championship again the very next season, with 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart and the 2005 Heisman winner, running back Reggie Bush leading the charge for the Pac 10 champs. They faced off against the Texas Longhorns and quarterback Vince Young in the 2005 Rose Bowl for the national championship. Unlike past years, there was not any doubt who the two best teams in the country were. The Longhorns and Trojans would then clash in what is still considered by many one of the greatest college football games of all time. The Trojans came in riding a 34 game winning streak, dating back to 2003, and USC’s Reggie Bush was named Heisman Trophy winner over the Longhorns’ Young (that trophy has since been vacated due to NCAA violations). The two teams were on a collision course since they were 1 and 2 in the polls all season. The hype for this game was insane, and boy did it deliver. The game was a battle all the way through. When USC scored, the Horns would answer back. Behind Vince Young’s 467 yards of total offense (267 passing, 200 rushing), and the 10 yard TD run on 4th and 5 to win the game is looked at as one of the greatest plays in college football history, the Longhorns would be crowned champions by a final score of 41-38 in a game that is still talked about today, and from a personal standpoint, that game took me from casual viewer of college football to a full-fledged fanatic. This was the final game in the previous rotating national championship format. The very next season, a separate BCS National Championship Game would be played after the 4 other BCS bowl games.
               
The first official BCS National Championship Game took place after the 2006 season. It featured the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and a new face on the BCS stage; the Florida Gators. After winning the SEC championship game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Gators leapfrogged USC and Michigan in the BCS rankings, stamping their ticket to University of Phoenix Stadium to face the Buckeyes. Which was another BCS controversy. Many people wanted a rematch between the unbeaten Buckeyes, and rival Michigan Wolverines who had an all-time great game a few weeks prior. But, because of the Wolverines idleness while the Gators won the SEC championship game, which is what put the Gators over the top in many people’s eyes, the Buckeyes and Gators faced off for the national championship in Glendale, Arizona, for the first time in each schools’ history. The 12-1 Gators were led by quarterback Chris Leak, and the Buckeyes came in with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith. The Gators defense was stingy as stingy can be, they held the Heisman Trophy winner to 4 completions for 35 yards and an interception, and only 82 yards of total offense from the Buckeyes offensively (they did however give up a phenomenal return touchdown to Ted Ginn Jr. in the opening seconds of the game), the Gators cruised to a 41-14 win, and began a dominating stretch of National Championship Game victories by SEC teams.
               
The Buckeyes would return to the championship game the next season, only this time matched up with Les Miles’ LSU Tigers. This was the 2nd bowl game match up between Tressell and Miles. The first taking place in the 2004 Alamo Bowl. Behind 4 touchdown passes from Tigers quarterback Matt Flynn, the Buckeyes would fall for the second straight year in the national championship. The next year, the Florida Gators, this time lead by 2007 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, and one of the most polarizing figures in American sports history, Tim Tebow. While the Sooners and 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford and the highest scoring offense in NCAA history. The second time that the last two Heisman quarterbacks faced off in the BCS championship. Given the potency of both offenses (Florida averaged over 45 points per game that season, and Oklahoma 54) it was a relatively low scoring game, the Gators would prevail 24-14, for their second championship in 3 years.
               

Nick Saban's Crimson Tide has been dominant in title games.

The last 4 years, the BCS National Champion has come from the state of Alabama. Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, with one of the most dominant run games in recent memory lead by future first round NFL draft picks; Mark Ingram (that seasons Heisman winner) and Trent Richardson leading the charge offensively, prevailed over the Texas Longhorns 37-21. The next season, behind the dynamic Cam Newton, the Tide’s in state rival the Auburn Tigers won the SEC (and one of the most impressive Iron Bowl comebacks of all time) and defeated the Oregon Ducks in the championship game, behind 254 rushing yards, the Tigers were victorious 22-19 on a last second field goal.
               
The next season might have been the most controversial yet. With only one undefeated team, Les Miles and the LSU Tigers the big debate arose again; rematch or new opponent. The Alabama Crimson Tide, sporting an 11-1 record, and the only loss being a 9-6 overtime loss to the top ranked Tigers and the also one loss Oklahoma State Cowboys were looked at as the two potential opponents for the Tigers in New Orleans for the BCS National Championship Game. Alabama was announced as the #2 team, which created much debate among fans that not only was the championship game a rematch, but also a rematch between teams in the same division of the SEC. Alabama would go on to shut out the Tigers 21-0 for their second championship in 3 years. The Tide would win again this past season in convincing fashion once again 42-14 over unbeaten Notre Dame.
               
The BCS system is far from perfect, but it’s not the worst possible way to crown a championship. However, the popular idea of a playoff will in fact come into play in 2014 with a brand new 4 team playoff to crown a champion. Only time will tell if that is the end all be all of crowning a champion, but one thing is for sure, regardless, we will more than likely still watch and be enthralled in everything national championship. After all, that’s we all love college football right?

- Josh Gamez

@itsjoshgamez

2012-2013 College Football Bowl Schedule

Here is the 2012-2013 College Football Bowl Schedule. Check it out and get ready for these exciting bowl games!

(Games are listed in order of when they will air.)

Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Arizona vs Nevada
Saturday, December 15 | 1:00 PM ET

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Toledo vs Utah State
Saturday, December 15 | 4:30 PM ET

San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl
BYU vs San Diego State
Thursday, December 20 | 8:00 PM ET

Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl
Ball State vs UCF
Friday, December 21 | 7:30 PM ET

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
East Carolina vs UL Lafayette
Saturday, December 22 | 12:00 PM ET

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Boise State vs Washington
Saturday, December 22 | 3:30 PM ET

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Fresno State vs SMU
Monday, December 24 | 8:00 PM ET

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Central Michigan vs Western Kentucky
Wednesday, December 26 | 7:30 PM ET

Military Bowl
Bowling Green vs San Jose State
Thursday, December 27 | 3:00 PM ET

Belk Bowl
Cincinnati vs Duke
Thursday, December 27 | 6:30 PM ET

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
Baylor vs UCLA
Thursday, December 27 | 9:45 PM ET

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Ohio vs ULM
Friday, December 28 | 2:00 PM ET

Russell Athletic Bowl
Rutgers vs Virginia Tech
Friday, December 28 | 5:30 PM ET

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas
Minnesota vs Texas Tech
Friday, December 28 | 9:00 PM ET

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Air Force vs Rice
Saturday, December 29 | 11:45 AM ET

New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Syracuse vs West Virginia
Saturday, December 29 | 3:15 PM ET

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
Arizona State vs Navy
Saturday, December 29 | 4:00 PM ET

Valero Alamo Bowl
Oregon State vs Texas
Saturday, December 29 | 6:45 PM ET

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
Michigan State vs TCU
Saturday, December 29 | 10:15 PM ET

Franklin Amer. Mort. Music City Bowl
NC State vs Vanderbilt
Monday, December 31 | 12:00 PM ET

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Georgia Tech vs USC
Monday, December 31 | 2:00 PM ET

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Iowa State vs Tulsa
Monday, December 31 | 3:30 PM ET

Chick-fil-A Bowl
Clemson vs LSU
Monday, December 31 | 7:30 PM ET

Heart of Dallas Bowl
Purdue vs Oklahoma State
Tuesday, January 1 | 12:00 PM ET

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl
Mississippi State vs Northwestern
Tuesday, January 1 | 12:00 PM ET

Capital One Bowl
Georgia vs Nebraska
Tuesday, January 1 | 1:00 PM ET

Outback Bowl
Michigan vs South Carolina
Tuesday, January 1 | 1:00 PM ET

Rose Bowl
Stanford vs Wisconsin
Tuesday, January 1 | 5:00 PM ET

Discover Orange Bowl
Florida State vs Northern Illinois
Tuesday, January 1 | 8:30 PM ET

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Florida vs Louisville
Wednesday, January 2 | 8:30 PM ET

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Kansas State vs Oregon
Thursday, January 3 | 8:30 PM ET

AT&T Cotton Bowl
Oklahoma vs Texas A&M
Friday, January 4 | 8:00 PM ET

BBVA Compass Bowl
Ole Miss vs Pittsburgh
Saturday, January 5 | 1:00 PM ET

GoDaddy.com Bowl
Arkansas State vs Kent State
Sunday, January 6 | 9:00 PM ET

BCS National Championship Game
Alabama vs Notre Dame
Monday, January 7 | 8:30 PM ET

Who I Think Should Play in the National Championship Game by: Jackson McNamara

As you all know, the #1 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play the #2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the National Championship Game on January 7th. Although the rankings are #1 and #2, and obviously the #1 and #2 ranked teams should play in the National Championship, I feel like this isn't the matchup that most of us college football fans would like to see.

I know that some people may not like my opinions, but hey, it's just an opinion. Obviously my two cents, are exactly that. The National Championship on January 7th will be what it will be, and whether I'm right or not, will not matter one bit.

But you're here reading this, so I assume I haven't lost your interest yet.

The Crimson Tide have been incredible this year. Their only loss being to Texas A&M (led by Mr. Johnny Football!) 29-24. A very good game that could have went either way. I do think that Alabama belongs in the National Championship. With AJ McCarron leading the offensive attack. With Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon in the backfield. And with Amari Cooper, Kenny Bell and Kevin Norwood spreading defenses thin, Nick Sabin's Crimson Tide should be in the National Championship Game.

Now, as far as Notre Dame goes. I feel they are a good team. They did beat Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, and Oklahoma. However, I feel if their schedule was a little tougher, they very well could have tasted defeat. Yes their defense is ranked #1 at points allowed, only giving up 10.3 per game. And yes, Manti Te'o is a phenomenal defensive player. But I don't feel Notre Dame should be in the National Championship.

The team I feel deserves to play Alabama, is the Oregon Ducks. With their high-tempo, aggressive offense that is averaging 50.8 points per game, I feel this is the best matchup for the Crimson Tide. The Ducks are led by freshman QB Marcus Mariota. They have weapons such as Kenjon Barner, De'Anthony Thomas, Josh Huff and Colt Lyerla. To see this Ducks offense take on the Crimson Tide defense to me would be a great matchup, and would most likely be a lot of fun for us fans.

Notre Dame's defense is ranked higher than Alabama's by a very small margin, but I feel if Notre Dame had to face more offenses like the Oregon Ducks, they wouldn't be able to keep up. Honestly, I'm not sure if Alabama's defense could keep up with the Ducks offense, but I think their defense would be the one to be able to put a muzzle on the Ducks.

Saturday, January 7th, we will not see Alabama take on Oregon. And that's fine. Rankings are rankings, and the way everything went down this season we will see the Fighting Irish take on the Crimson Tide. I'm sure it'll be a great matchup. I just feel like the matchup that I came up with would have been more entertaining.

Remember, this was just my opinion. If you disagree, that's fine. I did not write this to offense Notre Dame, or any other sports team fans. I just wanted to air my opinion. Thank you for reading. I hope I don't lose one of my 12 followers for this.

- Jackson McNamara

@jacksonmcnamara