Alabama vs. Notre Dame: Ranking Most Explosive Home-Run Threats

In defensive struggles, every point is extremely valuable.

Alabama vs. Notre Dame is sure to be a defensive struggle in which points will be difficult to come by. And in such a battle, a single play has the potential to change the game’s outcome.

Here are the most explosive playmakers in the 2013 BCS Championship who are capable of making that single play—a long touchdown that devastates the opposition.

 

5. Kenny Bell (WR, Alabama)

Bell just broke his leg in the Crimson Tide’s regular season finale, but according to Alex Scarborough of ESPN, he still could play in the national title game. If healthy, he’d force the Irish defense to keep an eye on him at all times.

Bell doesn’t always catch passes—only 17 on the season—but when he does, he prefers it to be deep. He’s averaging 25.4 yards per reception in 2012.

4. George Atkinson III (RB, Notre Dame)

Atkinson plays the role of Notre Dame’s third-string running back and kickoff returner. Because of that, like Bell, he won’t get too many touches on Monday. But every time he does touch the ball, though, the stadium will be holding its breath.

He’s averages a touchdown about every 10 carries and has rushed for 7.1 yards a pop this season.

3. Cierre Wood (RB, Notre Dame)

Wood may share carries with Theo Riddick, but he’s without a doubt the more talented runner and more explosive playmaker. He’s averaging 6.7 yards per carry this year and has recorded runs of over 60 yards in two games.

Besides Everett Golson, Wood is arguably the Fighting Irish’s most important offensive player.

2. T.J. Yeldon (RB, Alabama)

Yeldon and Eddie Lacy are both powerful backs, but the former is a tad more explosive. The freshman is averaging 6.5 yards a pop in 2012. It’d be difficult to hit a home run against a front seven led by Manti Te’o, but Yeldon has the wheels to do so.

1. Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)

Another freshman phenom for Alabama, Cooper takes the No. 1 spot on the list because it should be significantly more difficult to break off a huge run than to hit a long bomb against the two elite defenses.

Cooper led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards this season and averaged 16.9 yards a catch doing so. He also recorded receptions of over 40 yards in different three games.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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