Rose Bowl Betting Preview – Alabama vs. Notre Dame

The last time the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish met on the gridiron, we saw one of the biggest blowouts in modern college football history. Alabama completely dominated Notre Dame, rolling out to a 35-0 lead as Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon each finished with over 100 rushing yards in a 42-14 thrashing. Oddsmakers are expecting a similar result this time as the Crimson Tide are currently a 19-point favorite over the Fighting Irish in the Rose Bowl. This year’s Rose Bowl will take place outside of Pasadena for the first time since World War II, and it will be the first of the two College Football Playoff Semifinals.

The Rose Bowl will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday, January 1, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.

College Football Betting Odds

Alabama -19

Notre Dame +19

Total 65.5

Even Notre Dame fans seem resigned to their fate. You won’t find too many people bullish on the Irish after they were smashed by Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. Alabama has been the best team in the country all year as this offense hasn’t missed a beat with Mac Jones sliding in for Tua Tagovailoa.

Alabama Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense

Jones is one of this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists. According to the oddsmakers, either Jones or Devonta Smith will be named the best player in college football this year. Alabama has only had two Heisman Trophy winners in its storied history (Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry), so if one of those two stars were to win, they would be the first non-running back to win the honor.

No one expected Jones to be this good. He was thought of as a placeholder for the next Alabama quarterback, but he has made a name for himself in 2020. The junior from Jacksonville has completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 3,739 yards (11.4 YPA) with 32 touchdowns and four interceptions this season.

Alabama boasts the most talented receiving corps in the country other than perhaps Florida. Smith has been superb this year with 98 receptions for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns. He stepped up in a big way after Jaylen Waddle was lost for the season due to injury. John Metchie III has emerged as the second-best receiver on the roster too with 44 receptions for 782 yards and six touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide always have great running backs. Najee Harris is next in a long line of standouts at this position with 1,262 yards (5.9 YPC) and 24 touchdowns in 2020. Brian Robinson Jr. is the primary backup and will see some action too. Alabama must replace its starting center though as Florida State grad transfer Landon Dickerson suffered a torn ACL in the SEC Championship Game.

Notre Dame is allowing 18.6 PPG and 335.1 YPG this season. Defensive coordinator Clark Lea left to become the head coach at Vanderbilt though, and this defense did not look great against Clemson. They only faced one other good offense besides Clemson all year, and Notre Dame did struggle against North Carolina early.

Notre Dame Offense vs. Alabama Defense

The Fighting Irish run the ball to set up the pass. Ian Book is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. He has run for 430 yards and eight touchdowns including sack yardage, and Book is always a threat to tuck it and run. That has helped him find success through the air, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,601 yards (8.3 YPA) with 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Kyren Williams did not have much success against Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, but he finished the season with 1,061 yards (5.4 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. Freshman Chris Tyree has been a big play threat with 480 yards (7.1 YPC) and four touchdowns as the Irish are averaging 217.6 YPG on the ground.

This receiving corps hasn’t been as strong without Chase Claypool and Cole Kmet, but Javon McKinley and others have done a decent job at filling their shoes. McKinley has 40 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns, and Ben Skowronek, Michael Mayer, and Avery Davis are all nice complementary pieces.

Alabama is allowing 19.5 PPG and 351.2 YPG. This defense has had some hiccups though, and we saw Ole Miss and Florida have a lot of success through the air against this secondary. The front seven is solid though which is a scary thought for a run-first team like Notre Dame.

Prediction

This is a massive spread. Alabama should win the game, but Notre Dame is good enough to keep it within the number.

Follow our Twitter account for the latest sports news and wagering odds, and come to our Instagram for more useful betting info too.