Notre Dame Football: BCS National Title Game By Draftees

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (bottom) scores a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame Football

It was clear to everyone who watched that Alabama completely dominated Notre Dame in all three phases of the game. What was not clear to everyone was to why that happened. Explanations like “SEC” are simple explanations for pundits who do not want to look hard enough to find the true answer. Did Alabama have more talent than Notre Dame? Did Brian Kelly fail to prepare the Fighting Irish for the BCS National Title Game?

Notre Dame and Alabama are now two drafts removed from the title game. NFL evaluators have spoken on nearly every player who started in that game. Here is what they have said based on the number of players who have been drafted in seven rounds of the NFL Draft:

Alabama Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense 

Eight players have been drafted from Alabama’s Offense in the past two years. It is likely that another, Amari Cooper, will be drafted in the first round next year. This would bring Alabama’s total to nine players.

Notre Dame’s Defense has seen seven players drafted so far. KeiVarae Russell will likely be drafted whenever he enters the NFL Draft. Matthias Farley is probably a long shot to be drafted at this point. This would bring Notre Dame’s total to eight players.

Notre Dame Offense vs. Alabama Defense

Alabama’s defense, to the surprise of many, has only had five players selected so far in the NFL Draft. Trey DePreist, the starting Mike Linebacker in the BCS Championship, will likely be drafted after next season. This would bring Alabama’s total to six.

Six players on Notre Dame’s 2012 Offense have been selected by NFL GMs. DaVaris Daniels has a very good chance at being selected in next year’s draft at some point. Christian Lombard and Everett Golson are not sure things for the NFL at this time. Notre Dame’s number could vary. However, they will have at least seven by the end of next year.

Overall, Notre Dame will likely have same number of players selected in the NFL Draft. It is hard to evaluate the depth of a team. However, over the past two seasons, 14 Notre Dame players have been selected and 17 Alabama players have been selected. So, the depth of the teams is fairly even. The quality of the players may be different. Five Alabama players have been selected in the first round while Notre Dame has only had two players.

Regardless, the perceived talent disparity been the two teams is not as wide as people thought. The talent from Alabama may have been seasoned in playing in big games. But, it was likely the preparation that failed Notre Dame in the BCS Championship.