YOU THE MAN: Offensive lineman Barrett Jones gets a hug from quarterback A.J. McCarron after Alabama’s 32-28 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Lenn Robbins writes that Alabama’s dominant offensive line could give Notre Dame trouble in the BCS title game. (AP)
ATLANTA — When Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio was asked about the matchup that the will determine the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7 in Miami Gardens, Fla. — the matchup that must have had Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco tossing and turning like a toddler whose teeth are coming in — he paused and smiled.
“We could do better,’’ Kouandjio said. “We left a lot of offense on that field actually.’’
Really? Where?
The Crimson Tide (12-1) earned the right to play Notre Dame(12-0) with a 32-28 win over Georgia in Saturday’s SEC Championship by gouging the Bulldogs defense like a John Deere tractor tearing up a plot of land. The total numbers were gaudy:
Alabama had 512 yards in total offense, 350 on the ground.
“They just lined up and knocked us off the ball,’’ Georgia coach Mark Richt said.
“They,” need to take a bow. Alabama’s offensive linemen are Kouandjio (6-foot-6, 311 pounds), Chance Warmack (6-3, 320), Barrett Jones (6-5, 302), Anthony Steen (6-3, 303) and D.J. Fluker (6-6, 335). Jones (left foot) left the Georgia Dome field on crutches but said he would be fine for the title game in 37 days.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we match up against these guys,’’ said Notre Dame safety Zeke Motta, who said he was looking forward to play some real football.
When asked the first words that come to mind when he thinks of his line, Warmack said, ‘explosive,’ one usually associated with running backs. But this impressive offensive line will be facing a stout Notre Dame defense.
The Irish’s defensive line is composed of junior Louis Nix III (6-3, 326), senior Kapron Lewis-Moore (6-4, 306) and sophomore Stephon Truitt (6-6, 303). They came of age this season — remember the goal line stands against Stanford and USC? Notre Dame’s rush defense was fifth in the nation, allowing a scant 92 yards per game.
“That’s something that great defenses pride themselves on is stopping the run and keep the ball out of the end zone.’’ Lewis-Moore said. “It’s going to be a tough matchup and we’re excited for it.’’
What was Notre Dame thinking watching the Tide on Saturday gobble up real estate like their last name was Trump? Forget Anderson Cooper 360. How about Alabama’s OL 350?
“Our coach always says, he was talking about Michael Jordan, he always [said he] was going right, ‘Stop me. Stop me.’ ’’ Fluker said. “We came out today and they didn’t stop it.’’
Can Notre Dame? The Irish must do so. Consider this: Notre Dame is 43-2 in its last 45 games when outrushing the opponent.
Which brings us to other side of the ball. Alabama is first in the nation in total defense (246 yards per game) and rushing defense (79.7). Kirby Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, should be a head coach going into next season.
Smart was the recipient of the 2009 Frank Broyles Award presented to the nation’s top assistant coach. It is the coronation that says an assistant is ready for head coaching consideration. Notre Dame’s Diaco is a finalist for that award this season. He has five-plus weeks to game plan for Alabama’s Big Uglies.
“I love those big boys,’’ Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron said.
If you’re an Alabama fan, what’s not to love.
1. Notre Dame; 2. Alabama; 3. Ohio State; 4. Florida; 5. Stanford; 6. Kansas St.; 7. Georgia; 8. Oregon; 9. LSU; 10. Texas A&M. 25. Nicholls State – The Colonels lost 77-3 at Oregon State in a makeup game and men’s basketball team lost 84-39 at Michigan State. Good looking out for the student-athletes, but hey, the checks cleared, right?