Column: Wild regular season leads to unforeseeable championship

After 12 weeks of ups and downs the college football landscape has finally been decided, and for the first time in a long time, Notre Dame is not only relevant again, but they are on top in all polls.

Going into the season, Notre Dame had one of the projected toughest schedules; one that some analysts said the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers would even have trouble with. Notre Dame had to play three preseason top-10 teams, and countless top-25 teams to get to where they are now.

While they made it through the schedule with relative ease, all roads now lead to Miami where defending National Champion Alabama awaits them. The Tide only fell once during the regular season in an upset against first-year Heisman hopeful Johnny “Football” Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies.

Both teams have stellar run-defenses, and both look to capitalize on their stout defenses.

Notre Dame faithfuls have had to watch every game with one eye covered, praying that the clock won’t turn to midnight on their Cinderella story of a season. All while Alabama fans continue to watch the rushing attack carry the team, as it has for the last five years.

Going into the season, the Fighting Irish were unranked, and did not break the top 25 until after defeating Michigan State and Michigan in consecutive weeks. On the other hand, Alabama went into the season ranked number two, behind the Trojans of USC, whom the Irish beat on the last week of the season.

The Irish have had their fair share of close calls this season, including goal line stands and triple overtime thrillers. Most notably, their goal line stand against the Stanford Cardinals in overtime to clinch the game and continue their road to No. 1 in the BCS polls.

Ironically enough, Notre Dame got to sit back and watch essentially a semi-final match-up between Alabama and Georgia Dec. 1 in the SEC championship game, which came down to the final play where Alabama was able to hold on 32-28.

Jan. 7, 2013 is a day Notre Dame fans have waited for over 20 years, as they will get to see the return of the once prominent Irish to the National Title Game.

While many think that the game will be a blow out, don’t be too sure, If Notre Dame can slow down the dual back rushing attack, like their defense has to teams all year, the game will remain close.

My prediction: The Irish come out on top 21-17.