Irish comfortable as underdog

Irish Insights

Irish reach Big East baseball tourney title game

Notre Dame returned to the Big East baseball tournament championship game for the first time since 2006 thanks to Ryan Bull's 10th inning heroics.Today 4:14 pm

Irish reach Big East baseball tourney semifinals

Notre Dame earned a spot in the Big East tournament semifinals and a day of rest with a 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh (41-16) on Thursday in Clearwater, Fla.Thursday

Video: Mike Elston on playing ACC opponents

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about the new challenges the team will face by playing five Atlantic Coast Conference teams every year, starting in 2014.Wednesday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Notre Dame is a 10-point underdog heading into Monday's BCS championship game.

But if that bothers anyone with the No. 1 Irish (12-0), who play No. 2 Alabama (12-1) for the title, they are not letting on.

"I think we played a lot of games as underdogs this year," receiver Robby Toma said when the team arrived Wednesday. "A lot of people have doubted us. Nothing is going to change. We are going to compete for four quarters. We are not going to guarantee a win, but we are just going to go out there and play."

Coach Brian Kelly echoes Toma's feelings and said he will not prepare his team any differently to try and beat Alabama.

"You got to make sure you do what you do," Kelly said. "We are going to do what we've done. Alabama knows it. Alabama knows, we know what they are going to do. It comes down to the execution. That's really what it comes down to."