It’s been an even 30 years since Notre Dame football last claimed a national championship, but three weeks from today they’ll get the opportunity to play for a chance at another. If the Fighting Irish can get past Clemson in the Cotton Bowl, they’ll take on the Orange Bowl winner, Alabama or Oklahoma, in the 2018 National Championship game in Santa Clara, California.
Just two more wins and Notre Dame will have its 12th consensus national championship. Although it is worth noting, due to the disputed nature of national titles in the early years of the sport, ND has, in the eyes of many, 13 national championships right now.
Of course, when we say “just two more wins” it is a bit misleading. These last two hurdles are very high ones to clear and no matter where in the world there is action in the national championship you’ll see the Fighting Irish as massive underdogs. Whether betting in India, Ireland or right here in America, Bovada currently has the Irish as +1400 to win it all. Although back in the preseason they were backed at +4000. Oklahoma is also backed at +1400 while the reigning champions, Alabama are -240.
ND’s Cotton Bowl opponent, Clemson is priced at +275. It makes sense that the Crimson Tide are the overwhelming favorites, given how they have won five titles since 2009. Clemson is a power as well, having knocked the Tide off in 2016 to claim the title, and coming very close to beating Bama in 2015.
The Tigers are favored by 11.5 over the Irish according to the Vegas Insider consensus. V.I. also has Bama as double digit favorites in their semifinal playoff game, currently backed by 14 points.
If Alabama does in fact beat Oklahoma and advance to the title game, you can be sure they’ll be massive favorites over Notre Dame or Clemson. So if you’re a Notre Dame fan, you’re probably feeling like “Star Wars” character Han Solo, who often liked to say: “never tell me the odds.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.