Notre Dame Football Rose Bowl review: 3 Studs, 3 Duds
By Andrew Hall
The Notre Dame football team suffered another loss on a big stage, this time dropping the Rose Bowl to Alabama, 31-14.
Weirdly, the Notre Dame football program proved that they deserved to be one of the final teams in the College Football Playoff. But, Alabama also proved they are equally deserving of the top spot in college football.
Although the Crimson Tide controlled throughout, Notre Dame had chances to make the game interesting. After stopping the Crimson Tide, the Irish were marching to make the score 21-14 when Ian Book threw his third interception of the season. After a DeVonta Smith touchdown made the score 28-7, the Crimson Tide were no longer under “game pressure.”
Notre Dame kept fighting until the end, as the Irish scored with 56 seconds to go, showing that Brian Kelly and the team refused to give up. They recovered an onside kick and moved the ball to the 15-yard line when time expired.
With the win, Alabama moves on to the CFP National Championship on Jan. 11 in Miami, Florida.
In comparison to the 2013 BCS National Championship game, Notre Dame is no longer outmatched in trenches. However, it is fair to say that the Irish are outmatched on the perimeter. Only eight out of Notre Dame’s 28 catches were made by wide receivers.
On the opposite side of the football, Smith dominated the Irish with seven catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Notre Dame needed better and more accomplished cornerbacks.
Notre Dame finishes the season with a 10-2 record, their fourth consecutive season of 10-or-more victories. Kelly faces a major rebuilding job with the 2021 team., as depending on who returns and departs, the Irish must replace Book, multiple offensive linemen, an All-American linebacker in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and several defensive backs.
The Fighting Irish open the 2021 season against Florida State on Sun. Sept. 5.
Here are the 3 studs, followed by the 3 duds for the 2021 Rose Bowl.