Notre Dame football: 3 biggest wins all-time against Alabama

With the Notre Dame football team taking on Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Friday, here is a look at the Irish’s three biggest wins against the Tide.

Notre Dame football and Alabama have played seven times in history, but never before 1973. The Irish lead the all-time series 5-2 and will meet once again in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, in a College Football Playoff semifinal.

It will also be the second time that Nick Saban and Brian Kelly coach against one another in this matchup, and the first time didn’t go well for Kelly, losing the 2013 BCS National Championship Game 42-14.

These two programs, largely due to Alabama rarely playing marquee out of conference games, have only met a handful of times during the regular season. This means that most matchups between Alabama and Notre Dame have been incredibly high stakes.

Before 1973, the two had almost no connection, outside of the occasional coach who played at one school or the other. Other than being traditional powers, the two seemingly had nothing in common. Even today, the differences are apparent.

It’s North vs. South. A private Catholic school vs. a public school in the Bible Belt. It’s two college football elites. Two national brands. Two passionate fanbases.

Hopefully, the 2021 Rose Bowl goes down as one of the most memorable wins in Notre Dame history. Until then, though, here are the three biggest wins in the history of Notre Dame over Alabama.