There is no question, at least in the mind of Vegas bookies, that Alabama is the far superior team to Notre Dame.
The 8 1/2 -point line in the Jan. 7 BCS National Championship is a searing testament to that.
Which doesn’t guarantee anything, of course. Notre Dame (12-0) is the nation’s only undefeated team that is bowl eligible. The Irish hold the No. 1 rank, not second-ranked Alabama (12-1). And Notre Dame has proven one truth this season: Every time the Irish have been told they’re going down, they rise up.
This team thrives off of slights, and Saturday night, the heart and soul of this 2012 Notre Dame got slighted by Heisman Trophy winners. Manti Te’o was beaten out by Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, and although the Notre Dame linebacker believes Johnny Football is a worthy recipient, that doesn’t mean he’s comfortable with not having won himself.
“I just felt that burn,” Te’o said. “I can’t really describe it. It’s that burn to say, ‘Hey, you just have to get better.’ ’’
There is a trend developing with Texas quarterbacks and the Heisman Trophy. Back in 2005, Vince Young was beaten out by Reggie Bush and the Longhorns quarterback was so chafed, he nearly dropped the ball in Times Square. Young vowed to get revenge in the national championship and he did.
Young, from Houston, ran for 200 yards, passed for 267 and scored the winning touchdown with 19 seconds left as the Longhorns upset Reggie Bush’s USC Trojans, 41-38.
Notre Dame, of course, won’t play Manziel’s Texas A&M team for the national championship, but Te’o was sounding a lot like Young did back in 2005.
“I’m relieved that it’s over,’’ said Te’o. “I’m excited I get the chance to prepare for ’Bama. I’m telling you guys — Heisman Trophy or national championship, I’ll take a national championship 100 times out of 100,’’ Te’o said.
Manziel, from tiny Kerrville, Texas, feels likewise. He said he’d take a national championship over the Heisman. Of course, it’s easy to say it when you’ve got one statue on the mantel.
Te’o’s trophy case is not exactly collecting cobwebs. He won six prestigious national honors, including two national defensive player of the year awards — the Nagurski and Bednarik.
If he gets a national championship ring, it will be the greatest haul by a defensive player since Charles Woodson. Te’o wants more after not capturing the Heisman.
“It’s motivation,” he said. “I always wanted to be the best. I just use that as motivation to just be the best I can be.” Obviously I have a lot of work to do. I’m just excited to get back and get things cracking.”