Alabama-Notre Dame: Preparation for the Big Game

With 20 days until the BCS National Championship game, the two teams fighting for College Football's crown jewel have taken two different approaches to the long layoff.

Notre Dame has not played a game since November 24th when the Irish secured an 8 point victory, 22-13 over the Southern California Trojans. To help cope with the long layoff, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly began his practice earlier than most. Travis Reier of Bamaonline.com joined The Game Monday night and noted that this trip to the BCS title game is not only new territory for the Irish, but for head coach Brian Kelly as well.

While the experience is new for Notre Dame, Alabama has plenty of experience in preparing for the BCS National Championship game. Former Crimson Tide Fullback Martin Houston joined The Game for his weekly segment on Monday as well and said that he's always been a fan of the approach Nick Saban has taken during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.

The Game is Tuscaloosa’s only daily sports talk program, featuring Ryan Fowler and Mick Gillispie.  The show airs daily from 6-8pm on Tuscaloosa’s Sports Authority, 99.1 WDGM.