Alabama-Notre Dame Series History

By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

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Notre Dame leads the all-time series with Alabama 5-1.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Two of the most storied college football programs will meet for only seventh time Monday night in the BCS National Championship Game.

The first-ranked Irish hold a 5-1 record in the series against the Crimson Tide, with the last meeting happening in 1987.

These two teams first met in the 1973 Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide were undefeated and ranked No. 1 when undefeated fourth-ranked Notre Dame emerged victorious 24-23 in the "Game of the Century."

The Irish moved up to first in the AP poll, clinching the national championship. Alabama won a share of the title, recognized as champions by the UPI after the regular season.

Notre Dame clinched the game on a 36-yard completion from quarterback Tom Clements to tight end Robin Weber on third-and-9 from its own two with 2:12 to play.

The following year, the two teams met again in the Orange Bowl. Alabama was ranked first and undefeated, while the Irish had a 9-2 record and ranked ninth. Notre Dame scored the first 13 points, hanging on for a 13-11 win. It was Ara Parseghian's final game as the Irish's head coach.

In 1976, Notre Dame won 21-18 in South Bend. Four years later, the sixth-ranked Irish held on for a 7-0 win over No. 5 Alabama in Birmingham. It wasn't until 1986 that the Tide finally won a game in the series. Alabama won 28-10 in Birmingham. In the final meeting in 1986, No. 7 Notre Dame took down 11th-ranked Alabama, 37-6.

The Tide and Irish have combined to win 25 national championships. Alabama has won two of the last three titles, while Notre Dame is seeking its first championship since 1988.