The following is an open letter to Playoff defenses that are preparing to face the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide:

To Notre Dame and whomever else it may concern,

First, let’s congratulate you on making it this far in your season. Big accomplishment. And while we know much of your film study has deservedly been taken up by figuring out how to defend Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith or how to get into the face of Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones — both Heisman Trophy finalists — we thought we’d mention a player you might have also seen flash on your monitors a couple of times.

His name is Najee Harris. Wears No. 22. And even if you develop a perfect plan to carpet Smith enough to know what flavor gum he chews, and are able to harass Mac Jones for 60 minutes, Harris will end you.

No. 14 in our Top 25 list of Crimson Tide players in the Nick Saban Era, Harris is the epitome of a problem without a solution. What do you do, exactly, about a running back that is bruising enough to pile up 3,639 rushing yards in his Alabama tenure (No. 1 on the program’s career list) and score a school-record 44 touchdowns over said tenure? And how do you game-plan against 6-2, 230-pound beast that is also nimble enough to catch 59 passes in the past 2 seasons for 620 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Put more succinctly: Harris can end you with his legs or his hands.

We know, we know … it isn’t fair for a team to have a player like Harris when they already have a Smith and Jones. Look, you should consider yourself lucky you aren’t also trying to factor in Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, too.

But we digress. Harris? Yeah. In an average year, a player that averages 143.5 all-purpose yards for the Southeastern Conference champions would absolutely run away with the Heisman. But because chicks love the long ball more than 5.9 yards and a pile of broken defenders, Hall and Jones get the juice and the SportsCenter love, while Harris simply does his job better than any running back in the SEC.

The most recent proof of that came in the SEC Championship Game against the Florida Gators. Harris rushed for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns on 31 carries, and caught 5 passes for 67 yards and 3 touchdowns. After the game, Harris playfully addressed a question if he returned to Alabama for his senior season to improve his pass-catching skills for the 2021 NFL Draft.

“No, man. What? I’ve been catching the ball since birth,” Harris said with a wide smile on his face. “What are you talking about, man? People don’t expect it because of the running back name. The slogan is, Can he catch? I’ve been catching the ball since I was in the fetus position. C’mon now.”

With Harris’ final catch against the Gators, the Antioch, Calif., star passed Trent Richardson for the most receptions (69) by a running back in the Nick Saban era. There are 7 Tide running backs to notch at least 40 receptions in the past 13 seasons, with Richardson still holding the mark for yardage (730). Kenyan Drake has the best average receptions at 12.4 yards (46 catches, 570 yards).

“This is why this offense is so unstoppable right now and all season long,” ESPN analyst Joey Galloway said about Harris and the Tide offense. “What are you gonna do? You have Najee Harris, who’s leading the country in rushing touchdowns. … His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, he caught 32 passes this season on top of the rushing touchdowns, that’s why he’s a difference maker and why this offense has been so explosive.

“Who are you gonna take away?”

Great question, Mr. Galloway. Great question, indeed. Want to stack the box to stifle Harris? Fine. Alabama will simply either throw it over the top on you, or just swing it out to Harris and let him run free against your linebackers. Drop back into coverage? Here comes Harris rumbling downhill into your linebackers.

Either way, we are guessing you don’t have the linebackers to compete. Heck, half the teams in the NFL don’t either.

Which is why it is slightly nettlesome that Harris didn’t get more Heisman love than placing 5th this season. Yeah, we suppose it is gauche to list 3 Alabama players on your 1-2-3 Heisman ballot, but is there really a more complete running back in the college game right now?

“The way he’s finished the season, he’s been a workhorse for Alabama and he’s done it every way you can do it,” former Auburn coach Gene Chizik said after the SEC title game. “He’s run for tough yards, he’s in pass protection protecting Mac Jones when he needs to. He’s a great receiver coming out of the backfield or splitting him out wide. He’s done everything you can do.

“His NFL stock has gone through the roof, this guy is a no-brainer first round. To not put him in a Heisman conversation is just flat wrong.”

But the Heisman is for the fans. Your game film tells you all you need to know about Harris, a complete running back that deserves mention with former Tide greats (both also Heisman winners) Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram as the greatest to ever tote the rock in Tuscaloosa.

We wish we could offer more advice on how to deal with Harris. We really do.

But in the final analysis, we have just as much as you do — nothing, other than hoping Harris misses the bus or stubs his toe on his locker.