Saban won his fourth ever title Monday night. (JLS Media/Creative Commons)

The Crimson Tide ravaged the country’s top scoring defense with tailbacks Eddie Lacy – the Offensive MVP – and T.J. Yeldon, who each gained over 100 yards and found pay dirt on the ground in the second quarter.

Quarterback A.J. McCarron was also stellar, completing 20 of 28 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns, burning the staunch Domer D.

Nick Saban’s crew scored 35 consecutive points before the Fighting Irish got on the board in the third quarter. But with just under 20 minutes left in the game, it was more than too late.

The defense was the real star of the game, led by Defensive MVP C.J. Mosley. Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson was 21-for-36 for 270 yards with a score and an interception. But Cierre Wood and the running game were stifled, gaining 32 yards on a pathetic 19 carries. On the other side, the Yeldon-Lacy tandem accounted for 248 yards.

From the outset, it was clear Alabama was streets ahead of Notre Dame in Miami. The SEC continued its dominance on the BCS Championship, extended the conference’s streak to six-straight titles.

One can’t help but feel that Notre Dame simply did not belong on the same field after tonight’s performance, despite its previously perfect 12-0 record. Oregon may have been the second-best team in the country.

Fortunately, the issue will not be limited in two more seasons with the introduction of the four-team playoff.

But now the country will have to survive the college football hiatus and thrive off new coaches, signing day and spring ball until August rolls around.

Reach Senior Sports Editor Will Robinson here. Follow him here.