2013 BCS National Championship, Alabama vs. Notre Dame: Teams, TV schedule, location and more

The Alabama Crimson Tide, No. 2 in the BCS and SEC champions after outlasting Georgia in Atlanta, are unofficially headed to play for their 15th claimed national championship. They'll play the No. 1, undefeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a game that maybe a couple people will watch. At least a couple.

It's a classic matchup that pairs perhaps the two most storied college football programs ever, but also one that sends a preseason unranked team up against the preseason No. 1 and defending national champion. Alabama's favored by 10.5 points already, according to 5Dimes.com. Monitor that one!

While many bowl games simply supply a travel destination for fans and a gift bag for players, there will be plenty on the line at the 2013 BCS National Championship.

The game, which marks the official end to college football season, pairs the No. 1 and No. 2 teams from the BCS. Contrary to popular belief, the SEC does not receive an automatic bid to the game, even if it seems that way. Every bowl game has a trophy, but the national championship has the one that matters.

TV schedule: Jan. 7, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Locale: Miami, Fla., Sun Life Stadium (75,540)

My thoughts on the title sponsor's services: At the end of the 2011 BCS National Championship game, Brent Musburger famously claimed the final kick was, "for all of the Tostitos." If the 2013 contest comes down to a similar play, maybe Musburger will say it's for all of the prepaid credit cards. It's probably a good thing prepaid credit cards aren't actually at stake, because that would be some sort of recruiting violation. The Discover sponsorship should be a nice bonus for the Kirk Herbstreit fans. In addition to calling the game, you may get bonus Herbie in one of Discover's many commercials.

Last year's score: Alabama 21, LSU 0

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