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

1975 Orange Bowl: Notre Dame 13, Alabama 11

The 1975 Orange Bowl was supposed to be a revenge game for the Crimson Tide, as they had lost heartbreakingly just two years earlier in the Sugar Bowl to Notre Dame, and they were hungry to knock off the Irish. On top of that, Alabama was 11-0 and playing for a National Championship.

Coming into the Orange Bowl, it was known that Ara Parseghian would be retiring following the end of the season, making this his last game at Notre Dame. The Irish, who sat at 9-2, were in the game to send off Parseghian properly, and to spoil the Crimson Tide’s season, and that’s exactly what happened.

Despite giving up 55 points to end the season against rival USC, they suffocated an Alabama offense that had scored 30 or more points five times. An early fumble by Alabama gave the Irish the chance to take a 7-0 lead, which they extended to 13-0 after a blocked kick.

From there, it fell on the Irish defense to hold onto the lead.

In 33 attempts on the ground, Notre Dame held Alabama to less than two yards a carry. At the quarterback position, Bryant alternated two different quarterbacks, which would be criticized after the fact. Richard Todd and Gary Rutledge were the two Alabama quarterbacks, with Todd ultimately taking over because of his passing ability.

His 48-yard pass late in the fourth quarter made it a two-point game and gave Alabama one last chance to win a National Championship. Once Alabama got the ball back, the Irish fell into a three high defense, and Alabama started moving up the field, as often happens against prevent defenses.

Luckily, Parseghian adjusted, leaving his corners in the flats. Todd didn’t notice the change and was intercepted. Notre Dame won the Orange Bowl 13-11.

By beating Alabama, the Irish kept them from winning another National Championship under Bear Bryant and forced a split National Championship between Oklahoma and USC. Notre Dame would finish the season ranked sixth, behind fifth-ranked Alabama who they had just beaten.