Alabama vs. Georgia game lived up to all expectations in a back and forth battle for all 4 quarters. You come away from that game thinking you just saw 2 great football teams and either one of them could have won this game.

Last seconds of the game saw a terrific drive engineered by Georgia QB Aaron Murray with 1:08 left on the clock and Georgia on it’s own 15 yard line, Murray passed his way to Alabama’s 8 yard line–15 seconds left and then inexplicably did not spike the ball. Tipped pass, caught on the 5 yard line in-bounds, down and game over. Wow, horrible time management by the Georgia coach.

So what did Notre Dame learn:

1. Be happy you’re not playing Georgia and QB Aaron Murray who had 265 yards passing.
2. Damn Alabama has some rushing game– 350 yards and a big OL.

I would rather play Alabama. Better to go against their QB AJ McCarron who is hot and cold and can get rattled if pressured–but you have got to stop the run. Bama plays from a Pro Set so you know where QB will be and don’t have to worry about him scrambling. Bama’s RB’s are big tough and fast:

• Eddie Lacy 6′ 220
• TJ Yeldon 6’2′ 216

These guys are battering rams. Bama’s running game controls the clock and wears down a defense–they had possession 37 minutes vs. Georgia’s 22 minutes. Georgia had 265 yds passing and 122 yards rushing.

I just don’t know if we can run on these guys, but somehow or other we have to find a way. Golson has to have the game of his life both running and passing–study Johnnie Football.

ND on defense–stop the run which means I would start Calabrese over Fox and plenty of 4 down linemen. Power vs. power and Te’o has to be sensational. I would use Buddy Ryan’s famous 46 defense that killed teams when he was with the Bears.

His basic philosophy was stuff the lanes while trying to kill opponents QB’s. If ND can’t slow the running game plus get to the QB we are in big trouble.

This is truly an outstanding Alabama team.