MANTI OF THE HOUR: Heisman Trophy finalist linebacker Manti Te’o (5) leads nine-point underdog Notre Dame against Alabama in next month’s BCS title game. (AP)
CHARLOTTE, N.C — Guess who isn’t afraid of big, bad Alabama?
Guess who couldn’t care that the spread for the BCS National Championship is up to 9 points?
Guess who is ready to snap the SEC’s string of six straight national champions?
“Here’s what I know,’’ Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told The Post last night. “Our kids are excited about playing the champion, and I think they have felt that since they beat USC. They want to play the champion. And the guy that’s got the belt is Alabama.’’
Notre Dame (12-0) is ranked No. 1 and has some heavy hitters of its own. Linebacker Manti Te’o received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for national Defensive Player of the Year, presented by the Football Writers Association of America.
But No. 2 Alabama (12-1) is considered the more physical team. Since the Crimson Tide, the defending national champs, beat Georgia 32-28 on Saturday to win the SEC title, the Fighting Irish have been subjected to the most offensive question a football player can be asked: “Are you tough enough?”
“I think so,’’ Te’o told The Post. “I think it’s not only your physicality. It’s your technique and how technical you are and disciplined you are. I think we’ll be just fine. Obviously, Alabama is a really good team, very physical. But we’re going to prepare and we’re going to be ready for Jan. 7.’’
While Te’o was signing autographs at a sold-out dinner hosted by the Charlotte Touchdown Club he learned he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded Saturday in Midtown. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein are the other finalists.
“It’s real cool to hear it,’’ Te’o said. “Everybody’s texting me right now.”
Te’o posted his third straight 100-plus tackle season. He has 103 tackles, seven interceptions, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks. He said he actually relishes playing a team like Alabama, which he knows will look to establish the line of scrimmage.
“I love rushing-attack football,’’ Te’o said. “I don’t really enjoy spread- ’em-out, throw-it, fast-paced kind of games. I just love lining up and you already know where they’re going, it’s just about stopping the ball. Stanford’s the same way. Michigan State’s the same way.’’
The Irish held Michigan State to 50 yards rushing, but gave up 147 to Stanford. Alabama ran for 350 in its win over Georgia. Te’o is not intimated.
“They were supposed to lose at Oklahoma and they were supposed to lose at Michigan State,’’ Kelly said. “They weren’t picked to win any of those big games. So they’re already past that. That’s not an issue that I have to deal with these guys.’’