Defense will be key in championship

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) A key storyline when - A key storyline when Alabama took the practice field Friday was how they plan to defend Notre Dame's versatile freshman quarterback Everett Golson.

With the nation’s top-ranked defense to back him up, Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly doesn’t ask a lot of Golson.

The Irish have no doubt won with “D.”

But as Golson practiced Friday in Miami, the Tide knew he has a few tricks up his sleeve.  Just as Bama’s offense has never faced a challenge like Notre Dame, Golson figures to have his toughest test offensively Monday.

“Alabama has a great defense and a great team," Golson said.  "They’re bigger, faster, stronger, but it’s really about who’s going to endure to the end and play hard for four quarters.”

Defensive lineman Damion Square will be asked to rush- but contain- Golson, who’s as deadly out of the pocket as inside of it, maybe moreso.

“Receivers are going to be running for extended time on our defensive backs, so we have to a great job up front of containing a guy like that," Square said.  "That is great for their offense to have a guy like that in their backfield who can make a play right when it was wrong.”

“To that kid’s credit, he creates a different angle of the offense that’s hard to prepare for," said defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. "It’s hard to simulate that, to simulate a play that extends that long. You can’t do it. You really can’t, you just have to play with great effort and great discipline and do your job as a defense.”