Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons Notre Dame will beat Alabama

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs against Jahlil Taylor #52 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs against Jahlil Taylor #52 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Brian Kelly and this offense must control the clock. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football can win time of possession

If Notre Dame beats Alabama, the Irish will definitely dominate the time of possession, something they have shown they can do all season long. This season, the Notre Dame football team ranks No. 7 in the country in this category, averaging almost 34 minutes of possession per contest.

The Crimson Tide rank much lower with just over 30 minutes, though that is because they have one of the more explosive offenses in the country, and can score in the blink of an eye. If the Irish rushing attack can keep Alabama off the field, Notre Dame may have an opportunity to win.

Giving Jones, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith fewer chances with the ball is the key in this one, as any one of them could have won the Heisman Trophy this season. The gameplan has to be this simple, keep this offense off the field, and sustain long, productive drives with star quarterback Ian Book and this offense.