Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after their win against Ohio State in an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Perfect Alabama finishes No. 1 in AP Top 25 for 12th time

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 01:09 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2004, file photo, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops celebrates the Sooners 12-0 win over Texas, in Dallas. Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops are among the 13 former players and coaches who make up the latest College Football Hall of Fame class. The National Football Foundation announced the newly elected hall of famers Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. This class will be inducted in December. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Carson Palmer, Bob Stoops lead college Hall of Fame class

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2021 12:58 PM EST

Notre Dame hires Cincy's Freeman as defensive coordinator

Jan. 08, 2021 06:42 PM EST
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame has found its new defensive coordinator, hiring Marcus Freeman away from Cincinnati. Freeman, who turns...

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin's Jack Coan throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa in Madison, Wis. Former Wisconsin quarterback Coan has indicated on social media that he is transferring to Notre Dame. Coan sent out a tweet Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, that included the Notre Dame logo along with the message, “Extremely thankful for the opportunity. Let’s get to work! @NDFootball.” (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Ex-Wisconsin QB Coan says he's transferring to Notre Dame

Jan. 04, 2021 09:56 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the start of their Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Heisman Trophy Preview: Loads of offense in four finalists

By The Associated Press Jan. 04, 2021 02:25 AM EST

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, center, talks to officials in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame better in Texas, but loses again in semifinals

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 01, 2021 07:50 PM EST

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gets help against Notre Dame defenders from wide receiver John Metchie III (8) as Smith sprints to the end zone for a touchdown after making a catch in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Roll Tide! No. 1 Alabama beats Notre Dame 31-14 in Rose Bowl

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 01, 2021 07:48 PM EST

No. 1 Alabama beats No. 4 Notre Dame 31-14 in relocated Rose Bowl to advance to national championship game

Jan. 01, 2021 07:34 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — No. 1 Alabama beats No. 4 Notre Dame 31-14 in relocated Rose Bowl to advance to national championship game. ...

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book throws a pass against Clemson during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP, File)
No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame move CFP clash to Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2020 03:55 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches his team warm up before the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Florida in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Alabama-Notre Dame in heart of Texas for relocated Rose Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2020 12:27 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2020 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 31 1961 — Paul Hornung, on leave from the Army, scores 19 points to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 37-0 win over the New York Giants...

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
The Gap: Superpowers hoard talent, leaving ND, others behind

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 30, 2020 02:40 AM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
Notre Dame seeking a jumpstart against Alabama in CFP semi

By John Fineran Dec. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State offensive lineman Wyatt Davis (52) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Davis was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Sacrifice and stress: How players handled season of COVID-19

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) works against Florida during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Explosive trio leads Alabama into College Football Playoffs

By John Zenor Dec. 28, 2020 04:39 PM EST

FILE - Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) is shown in action in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., in this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, file photo. Christensen was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alabama's Jones, Smith, Harris lead 6 Tide AP All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2020 12:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2020, file photo, Ohio State coach Ryan Day looks at the scoreboard during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
CFP matchups: What will decide Tide-Irish, Tigers-Buckeyes?

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2020 11:35 AM EST