Rose Bowl Odds – Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
While the global pandemic changed a lot of things this college football season, including the Rose Bowl getting moved to Texas, we also witnessed a return to normalcy. After missing the College Football Playoff last season, the Alabama Crimson Tide ran the table going 11-0 and are back fighting for another national championship. The first step toward that goal takes place in the Rose Bowl game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Alabama was the undisputed No. 1 team in the country outscoring opponents by an average margin of 30.2 points and the Tide is positioned as a massive 20-point favorite on the college football betting line. Bookmaker.eu offers a generous welcome bonus (max bonus $1600) - Live in-play betting - Established 1986.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Date and Time: Friday, January 1, 2021, 4 p.m. ET
Location: ATT Stadium, Arlington, TX
CFB Odds: Alabama -20, O/U 66
Notre Dame vs. Alabama TV Coverage: ESPN
Odds Analysis
Despite their blowout loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship, the Irish did enough over the course of the season to satisfy the committee. They might want to rethink their position, though, after drawing Bama in one semifinal. Their win over Clemson in November swayed voters, but it came with an asterisk. The Irish didn’t have to face Trevor Lawrence and a number of other Clemson starters that day. Notre Dame won 47-40 in double overtime as a 5-point dog. The perfect season ended with a 34-10 loss in the rematch game with Notre Dame catching 11.5-points. The Irish ended the season with two cover losses and went just 5-6 ATS. Another sign of Alabama’s dominance was their 8-3 record ATS. They were favored by more than two touchdowns in 10 of their 11 games and went 6-2 ATS when laying at least 20 points.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Irish felt they deserved a spot in the final four, now they have to prove they are worthy. Beating Alabama isn’t going to be easy and Notre Dame’s history in big games is something that will hound them. The Irish reached the playoff a few seasons ago and were plastered by Clemson 30-3. They also lost 42-14 to Bama eight seasons ago in the BCS title game. Notre Dame doesn’t want this game to turn into a track meet but that might be unavoidable. In order to have some control, establishing the running game is a must.
Led by Kyren Williams the Irish had a lethal ground attack averaging nearly 220 yards per game. Williams had six 100-yard games and totaled 12 touchdowns and 1,061 yards, one of three players with more than 400 yards on the ground. The offense hit a road block against Clemson in the ACC title game totaling just 44 rushing yards and 263 total yards. It was easily their worst game of the season against a motivated Tigers squad.
While the numbers on defense were impressive, the Irish struggled against Clemson allowing an opponent record 439 passing yards to backup D.J. Uiagalelei in the first meeting. Lawrence had 322 passing yards and two touchdowns and Travis Etienne ran for 124 yards as Clemson amassed 541 total yards in the rematch. Alabama’s playmakers might be even better giving the Irish something to think about on that side of the football.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Having two members of the offense among the finalists for the Heisman Trophy is a good indication of just how good Bama’s offense is. They could have had another on that list. Mac Jones did such a splendid job spreading the ball around that he positioned himself among the Heisman hopefuls. Jones completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 3,739 yards and 32 touchdowns with only four interceptions. And the loss of Jaylen Waddle early in the season didn’t slow the unit down.
The Tide scored more than 50 points in a game six times, including the last three, and averaged 49.7 points to rank second nationally. They also placed among the top-5 in passing offense (354.1) and total offense (543.9). And just to keep defenses honest Najee Harris rushed for 1,262 yards and an FBS high 24 touchdowns. DeVonta Smith will be a matchup problem for Notre Dame’s secondary. Smith led the FBS with 98 receptions and 1,511 receiving yards while hauling in 17 touchdowns.
Outside of the Ole Miss and Florida games the defense has been stout. But those outings are signs that the group can be had. Kyle Trask threw for 408 yards and three scores in the SEC Championship and the Tide allowed 268 rushing yards and 647 total yards in a 63-48 win over the Rebels in October.
Bet Notre Dame vs. Alabama at BookMaker.eu
The spread is large but it’s tough to go against Alabama and their collection of talent. Notre Dame had a tough time containing Clemson’s playmakers and Bama is on the same scale if not better in terms of talent. And the Tide is motivated to return to the national championship game after missing the playoff last season.
CFB Score Prediction: Alabama 45, Notre Dame 20
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
