Irish didn't score until late in the third quarter MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Alabama spent the past month downplaying talk of a college football dynasty, but it took just a few minutes Monday night to prove once again that Nick Saban's program is operating on a completely different level.
Alabama won its third national title in the last four years at Sun Life Stadium, humiliating previously No. 1-ranked Notre Dame 42-14 in a BCS national championship game that never seemed competitive. The matchup of college football's biggest brand names fizzled practically from the kickoff. Alabama scored touchdowns on its first three possessions and built a 35-0 lead midway through the third quarter.
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In the process, the Crimson Tide (13-1) secured a seventh consecutive national title for the Southeastern Conference and earned head coach Nick Saban his fourth overall (his first, in 2003, came with LSU), putting him within range of legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant's six.
This one might have been the most impressive. Alabama lost five starters on offense and seven on defense from the team that beat LSU in last year's championship, but Saban regrouped with just one slip-up: a 29-24 loss to Texas A&M and eventual Heisman winner Johnny Manziel on Nov. 10.
By Monday, however, that performance was a distant memory. Alabama began the game with an 82-yard touchdown drive – the longest given up by Notre Dame's defense all season – and marched 202 yards on just 22 plays in the first quarter. The Crimson Tide made it 21-0 on the first play of the second quarter and scored again 31 seconds before halftime on Eddie Lacy's 11-yard catch-and-spin touchdown.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, was overwhelmed by Alabama's physicality and speed, unable to stop either Lacy (140 yards, the offensive player of the game) or quarterback A.J. McCarron, who threw for four touchdowns and completed 20 of 28 passes for 264 yards. The Fighting Irish (12-1) built an offensive game plan to test Alabama's secondary but gained just 124 yards in the first half and only crossed midfield once.
The Tide players seemed almost to take the title in stride. Asked if the program could be called a dynasty now, McCarron laughed a bit and said, "Everybody's got their own opinions. You can label us what you want. I just know this team has worked hard to get to the point where we're at. I couldn't be more proud of these guys."
These guys were so overwhelming that Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, runnerup in the Heisman voting, was virtually invisible.
For the Fighting Irish, who hadn't won a national title since 1988, it was a stark reminder that they're still playing catch-up to college football's elite. And for Alabama, which will return the core of its defense and several skill players next season, it was confirmation this run of greatness isn't slowing down.
Saban didn't want to talk about that, or how he would savor what his now a historic coaching resume.
"I'm really , really happy with the team win we have," he said, actually smiling. "We have a lot of great players and they did a great job. I'm proud of these guys. I'm happy for them. I want to win the game for them. It's their legacy."
PHOTOS: All the action from BCS Championship 
Alabama receiver Amari Cooper sprints past the Notre Dame defense and into the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown during the third quarter. Cooper's score put the Crimson Tide ahead 35-0.
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Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson dives into the end zone for a thrid-quarter touchdown. Golson's score finally got the Fighting Irish on the board at 35-7.
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Alabama defender Ha'Sean Clniton-Dix (6) makes a leaping interception over Notre Dame receiver DaVaris Daniels (10) during the third quarter.
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Alabama defender Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6) snags a third-quarter interception on a pass intended for Notre Dame receiver DaVaris Daniels.
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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates his second-quarter touchdown catch.
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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) spins into the end zone to complete an 11-yard touchdown catch late int he first half. Lacy's score gave the Crimson Tide a 28-0 lead at the break.
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Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) escapes from Alabama defender Vinnie Sunseri to avoid a sack during the first half.
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Notre Dame receiver DaVaris Daniels (10) hauls in a first-half pass behind Alabama defender Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6) during the first half.
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Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) passes over leaping Notre Dame defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore (89).
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Notre Dame returner Davonte' Neal fumbles a punt late in the first half.
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Notre Dame returner Davonte' Neal, left, and Alabama defender Landon Collins chase Neal's fumbled punt.
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Notre Dame linebacker Prince Shembo (55) brings down Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon during the first half.
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Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) falls into the end zone to complete a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that put the Crimson Tide ahead 21-0.
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Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) throws on the run during the first half.
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Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) breaks away from a Notre Dame defender on a first-half run.
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Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly pleads his case with an official during the first half.
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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) gets bottled up after a first-half run.
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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) eludes a Note Dame defender on a second-quarter run.
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Notre Dame safety Zeke Motta, right, breaks up a pass intended for Alabama receiver Marvin Shinn during the first half.
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Alabama tight end Michael Williams hauls in a 3-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter that put the Crimson Tide up 14-0.
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Notre Dame quartback Everett Golson looks to pass during the first quarter.
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Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert (80) hauls in a first-quarter pass along the sideline.
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Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron directs the offense during the first quarter.
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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy celebrates his first-quarter touchdown that gave the Crimson Tide an early 7-0 lead.
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Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) shakes off a Notre Dame defender on his way to a 20-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
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Alabama receiver Kevin Norwood (83) hauls in a first-quarter pass.
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Wide receiver Robby Toma (9) leads Noter Dame onto the field.
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Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson on hand for the national title game. Richardson won two national championships at Alabama.
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