Days until game: 33

Coming home

Safety Zeke Motta is one of a dozen Notre Dame players from Florida, and the senior said he is excited about ending his career in his home state.

No. 1 Notre Dame (12-0) plays No. 1 Alabama (12-1) in the BCS championship game Jan. 7 in Miami.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to get back,” Motta said. “I was born in Miami, so that will be pretty cool. I’ve got some family there. Just to be able to play in the national championship game is rewarding enough, but the fact that it is in Florida makes it the much more special.”