Alabama Crimson Tide

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Louis Nix's work all season long earned him co-defensive lineman of the year honors Friday for Notre Dame. His work between now and Jan. 7 could earn him something much bigger.

Of the many stories-within-the-story of the Irish's title-game tilt with Alabama, perhaps none is bigger than the matchup in the middle between the ascending nose guard Nix and the All-American center Barrett Jones.

"I've seen him, heard about him, he got a couple awards," Nix said of Jones, who has starred at tackle, guard and center for the Crimson Tide. "He played, like, three positions at the O-line, he's an All-America. I'm happy that he's the No. 1 center in the country — that gives me an opportunity to better myself and see where I fit at in the country with other nose tackles that went up against him."

"He's just a smart center," Nix later added. "He knows how to play the game, obviously, because he played three positions on the O-line. So it takes a real good guy to know how to play all three positions. So he's a real smart guy, really athletic, he's very strong at the point of attack. I just have to be ready for him."

With that preparation comes time to heal a wrist that Nix injured during the Irish's goal-line stand at USC in the regular-season finale. The redshirt sophomore — who, like many before him, submitted paperwork to the NFL draft advisory board but is uncertain of his future — said he has done some work in the weight room but should be full-go come game time.

For now, the Irish's funnyman is relishing the chance to face the kind of measuring stick Alabama's vaunted front will provide, and he's ecstatic about sharing defensive lineman of the year honors with end Stephon Tuitt.

"I really never got an award in college yet, so this is the start," Nix said. "Next year I'm trying to be like Manti [Te'o.] I'm trying to get, like, seven or eight of these awards, so it's a start."

ESPN.com blogger Andrea Adelson talks with Alabama CB Dee Milliner about returning to the BCS National Championship Game and the prospect of playing Notre Dame on Jan. 7.

Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News has an analysis of the 2012 college football attendance figures, and any guesses on who had the largest increase this season in the SEC by percentage?

It was Vanderbilt, which won eight games for the first time in 30 years. The Commodores averaged 37,860 for home games, which was a 15 percent increase.

The largest decrease for an SEC school was Kentucky, which averaged 49,691 fans and dropped 17 percent. The Wildcats finished 2-10 and fired coach Joker Phillips.

(Read full post)

Michael Smith, Hugh Douglas and Jalen Rose think Notre Dame's impenetrable goal-line defense is the key to the BCS Championship.

Editor's note: Each day this week we'll review the five biggest plays or moments of the season for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Yesterday, we looked at Dee Milliner's interception in the season opener against Michigan.

For weeks, Alabama fans wondered what was wrong with Eddie Lacy. The big, bruising tailback with the feet of a ballerina was showing his frailty early on in the season. The heir apparent to Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram couldn't stay on the field as he continued to be bothered with nagging injuries -- a recurring turf toe problem, a sprained ankle, a strained hamstring. The 220-pound junior couldn't get healthy and it appeared that true freshman T.J. Yeldon might take the reins as the starting tailback at any moment.

Then came Lacy's breakthrough moment in Columbia, Missouri. In Alabama's first trip to conference newcomer Missouri, Lacy reminded fans and analysts what type of running back he can be. In the pouring rain, he slashed the Tigers' defense for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Neither lightning delay nor injury would keep Lacy from getting his that day.

“I came in with a positive mindset,” Lacy said after the game. “I don’t try to think a certain way. The running backs, we haven’t had a big run in a long time, and I was able to do it today, but it was just because I was thinking positive.”

Of course, Lacy wouldn't leave the game unscathed. He suffered a bruised hand which has been wrapped up at one point or another ever since. To him, playing through the pain was all a matter of having the right mindset.

"It's mind over matter," he said.

With Lacy and Yeldon both running well at tailback, the Alabama offense has hummed along with remarkable efficiency. UA finished in the top 20 nationally in rushing yards and most recently set an SEC championship game record with 350 yards on the ground against Georgia. Lacy, despite running at less than 100 percent, accounted for 181 yards and two touchdowns to help Alabama secure a trip to Miami to compete for a national title against Notre Dame.

"We have always had two backs -- it’s sort of a philosophical thing that we like," UA coach Nick Saban explained. "Durability is such a critical factor in running backs that if you play one guy all the time it enhances his chances of not being able to continue to play at the same level. It’s always been our goal to play two guys -- not always equally, but fairly equally to where both guys have a better chance to sustain the season at a high level and are productive throughout."

Editor’s note: Each day between now and Alabama's date with Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship, we will review the season for a key Crimson Tide player and attempt to project what’s next for him. Today we’ll look at linebacker Nico Johnson.

No. 35 Nico Johnson
Inside linebacker
54 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles

Role in 2012: Johnson was the starting inside linebacker in the base defense, but struggled to stay on the field at times when offenses went three- and four-wide.

The good: The senior's biggest contribution on the field was in run defense, where very few ball-carriers were able to escape his grasp. But his greatest impact might have been in the locker room and on the practice field, where the veteran was the voice of leadership on a young, inexperienced defense. He positioned the defense and helped first-year starters such as Adrian Hubbard, Xzavier Dickson and Trey DePriest mature in camp and throughout the season.

The bad: There was only so much Johnson could do with his limitations. His lack of foot speed kept him off the field in most passing situations this season. When he did stay on, he was vulnerable to the pass to the tight end or the slot receiver.

Crystal ball: Johnson doesn't seem to be a first- or second-day NFL draft pick, but chances are he ends up in a camp somewhere. His size (6-foot-2, 245 pounds), adequate athleticism and intangibles will be attractive to general managers and scouts. He knows the game and has not had any off-the-field troubles since arriving in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Johnson will likely be replaced by either freshman Dillon Lee or Reggie Ragland. Other linebackers could emerge as the staff sorts out who will play inside or out.