Well....

by FunkDoctorSpock, Your Nightmares, B* tches, Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 10:03 (6355 days ago) @ BPH

Both teams finished 7-6 the prior season.

Both teams struggled mightily over the course of the second half of the prior season. Alabama lost it's last four regular season games. ND lost four of their last 5. Both teams suffered a rather humiliating defeat at home during that stretch. Alabama to ULM and ND to Syracuse.

Both teams rebounded with a win in their bowl game. Alabama beat Colorado in the Independance Bowl and a lot of the players credited the win, and the bowl prep, as a springboard into 2008. Alabama had finished +20 against D1 teams. ND was +33.

Both teams returned a QB with two years of starting experience as well a veteran, highly experienced offensive line.

Both teams had more to replace on the defensive side of the ball. Alabama actually started a true freshmen at 1 LB spot, Donta Hightower. Many ND fans expect that we will start a true freshmen at one of the spots.

There are also a bunch of statistical similarties that I jotted down but don't have in front of me. The teams are very close in terms of where they finished statistically the year before.