Kelly's message: Notre Dame close to title caliber

Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, right, dives into the end zone in front of Pittsburgh linebacker Joe Trebitz for a two-point conversion to tie the score late in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. Golson is expecting a lot more of himself and the Fi…

Kelly's message: Notre Dame close to title caliber

SOUTH BEND | Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly knows the importance of staying on message and he has been consistent all spring.

Bama starts with bang at BCS championship game

Notre Dame's Manti Te'o tries to tackle Alabama's Eddie Lacy during the BCS National Championship Monday in Miami.

Bama starts with bang at BCS championship game

Alabama's Eddie Lacy breaks away for a touchdown against Notre Dame on Monday in Miami.

Bama starts with bang at BCS championship game

A Notre Dame fan cheers as the team warms up before the BCS National Championship against Alabama on Monday in Miami.

Bama starts with bang at BCS championship game

Alabama's AJ McCarron reacts to a touchdown run by Eddie Lacy during the first half of Monday's BCS National Championship game against Notre Dame.

Bama starts with bang at BCS championship game

Alabama's Eddie Lacy celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during Monday's BCS National Championship against Notre Dame.

40 years ago, Irish-Tide played game for the ages

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Ara Parseghian still remembers every little detail of that dreary night in New Orleans nearly four decades ago, when two titans of college football met for the first time.

For Martinez, BCS an emotional homecoming

Ron Bokon of South Bend, makes his way to Sun Life Stadium before the BCS National Championship on Monday in Miami.

BCS NOTEBOOK: For Martinez, BCS an emotional homecoming

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | When he was 14, Arturo Martinez was essentially told he was dying. Leukemia, stage IV. As bad as it gets.

40 years ago, Irish-Tide played game for the ages

Former Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian waves to fans as he arrives at the Home Depot College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in December. Parseghian is nearly 90 years old, but he remembers the 1973 Sugar Bowl as if it happened yesterday.

Money for college athletes: not if, but how

MIAMI | After decades when paying college athletes was thought to violate the spirit of amateurism, the enormous television revenue generated by sports — football and basketball in particular — and the long hours of work by the players have changed the debate.

Tide, Irish go old school on way to title game

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. | The BCS championship is going old school.

Texas A&M renews Oklahoma rivalry in Cotton Bowl

ARLINGTON, Texas | Spencer Nealy and some of his Texas A&M teammates were discussing potential bowl games even before their first SEC season began.

Saban, Kelly lead Bama and ND out of darkness

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly talks to reporters after arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday. Notre Dame takes on Alabama in the BCS national championship Monday in Miami.

Saban, Kelly lead Bama and ND out of darkness

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. | There were some dark days at Notre Dame and Alabama, dark years really, during which two of college football's proudest programs flailed and foundered.

Everett Golson's plan is all about preparation

SOUTH BEND | Both are redshirt freshmen. Both have led their teams to January bowls. Both are dangerous because they’re adept at eluding tacklers and extending plays.

Notre Dame players focusing on themselves for now

SOUTH BEND | Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has bigger things to worry about right now than defending national champion Alabama.

Notre Dame vs. Alabama: Star power, power football

NEW YORK | On one side, a blossoming dynasty from the college football capital of the Deep South. On the other, the sport's most famous team, trying to reclaim its place among the elite.