Rose Bowl demolition of Notre Dame triggers flood of reaction to Alabama, Nick Saban’s dominance

Some time has passed, but not much on the field or the scoreboard has changed a whole lot since the last time Alabama and Notre Dame met.

Alabama beat Notre Dame 42-14 in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2013. This time, at the Rose Bowl in Arlington, Texas, the Crimson Tide rolled up another rout, 31-14. The Crimson Tide are now one win away from Nick Saban’s sixth national championship, as Saban’s teams improved to 13-5 in postseason games.

In their ninth appearance in the College Football Playoff, Alabama used the combination that has excelled all season: Dynamic plays from Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith, and a suffocating defense to build a big lead and coast.

Alabama improved to 12-0 as it handed Notre Dame its second loss of the season.

Here is a sampling of some reaction from the victory:

Alabama’s dominance is unprecedented. They were like the 5th best team for one season and people said “Is their run over??” 😂

You can be bored by their success all you want but Saban will go down as the best coach to ever do it when he’s finished. This program is so damn good

— Jonathon Kamuf (@JonathonKamuf) January 2, 2021

I’m not sure if this is Alabama’s most talented team under Saban but I don’t think he’s had one humming this good at this point in the season

— Corey (@Koogs242) January 2, 2021

@espn Nick Saban is getting into Bear Bryant legendary status at Alabama.

— Bill (KOTI) (@BillKoti) January 2, 2021

I hate Alabama and Saban because they’ve dominated for so long. But I have a great deal of respect for them for the same reason.

I hate Dabo and Clemson because of the arrogance and hypocrisy that they exude.

I hate Michigan and Harbaugh because.

Just because.

— Ryan McClincy (@RyanMcClincy) January 1, 2021

Brian Kelly and Notre Dame showing up year after year to crap the bed in big postseason games pic.twitter.com/OPnfIIu36O

— Tank Bigsby Fan Page (@EvanK21) January 1, 2021

I am shocked that Notre Dame is getting boat raced in another big bowl game! Please stop giving them the benefit of the doubt and putting them in these games. pic.twitter.com/ckNknilckS

— Travis Heide (@travisheide) January 1, 2021

We are shocked by what’s happening in the Rose Bowl.
We haven’t seen Notre Dame lose in a big game like this in … *checks notes* … two weeks.

— The Morning Rush (@ESPNMorningRush) January 1, 2021

How’s this Alabama team stack up to the all-time great’s? Just unreal individual and team talent. This might be Saban’s easiest team to coach. #RammerJammer #RollTide #RoseBowl

— Jason Mitchum (@jason_mitchum) January 1, 2021

I hate what Nick Saban and Alabama has done to College Football. But damn do I respect it.

— Dust Dynasty❄️ (@BlockSportsPod) January 1, 2021

You think Alabama is good now? In 2025, Nick Saban expects the program to be so strong it will play TWO out of conference Power 5 teams. Look out.

— footballyouwant (@footballyouwant) January 1, 2021

Alabama’s line looks like a bunch of 35 year-olds. Damn.

— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) January 2, 2021

Alabama should be renamed “Nick Saban’s NFL factory.” Smith, Harris, and Jones were either backups or role players just last year.

— The Servant (@Bubsrone) January 2, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.