After one half in the Rose Bowl, Notre Dame trails Alabama 21-7

The first half went about as well for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the Alabama Crimson Tide as most pundits thought.

Alabama’s offense is just incredible. They held onto the ball for just over 12 minutes and racked up 279 yards for an average of 10 yards per play. Mac Jones is throwing dimes to incredible athletes like DeVonta Smith — who already has 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.

And Najee Harris has done some things on the ground.

Offensively for Notre Dame, it feels far too conservative — even for them. Bama is an elite tackling team, and the Irish are having trouble breaking short plays open. Kyren Williams has 56 yards and Notre Dame’s lone TD, as well as 21 yards receiving. Notre Dame has shot themselves in the foot with negative plays, and is just 5-10 on 3rd down.

21-7 feels like a lot more than it really is.

The Irish did put together a nice looking drive in the final minute, but ran out of time and were forced to kick a 51 yard field goal that looks like it was tipped, and fell short.

Hard to say what adjustments will work in the 2nd half, but they are going to need a few breaks that they were nowhere near in the first half.