First came the runs.

Tailback Eddie Lacy ducked, dipped and danced into the second level of defenders, devastating them with an uncommon balance of patience and punishing hits. Then came the long balls, leather spirals lofted by McCarron that dropped over defensive backs’ heads and into the sure hands of Amari Cooper and Kevin Norwood.

By halftime, Lacy had logged 96 rushing yards, with McCarron tallying 156 yards to go with two touchdowns passes. It was 28-0 then, and Notre Dame’s condition never improved.

“We couldn’t get off the field,” Irish coach Brian Kelly said.

Billed as “Catholics vs. Baptists”  and “Rudy vs. Forrest Gump,” the matchup resembled a varsity team tutoring it jayvee counterparts. Ranked No. 1 in the nation according to the BCS calculations, the Irish entered as double-digit underdogs despite a 12-0 record. Vegas had drawn the line between Alabama’s relentless talent and Notre Dame’s close calls in wins over Pittsburgh and Stanford. No.  2 Alabama, meanwhile, entered at 12-1, tested by the powerful SEC.