Kyren Williams
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book throws a pass against Clemson during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP, File)
No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame move CFP clash to Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2020 03:55 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
Notre Dame seeking a jumpstart against Alabama in CFP semi

By John Fineran Dec. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. Lawrence was voted The Associated Press offensive player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference and was one of a league-best 10 Clemson selections to the AP all-ACC team. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool, File)
No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Notre Dame headline AP all-ACC honors

By Aaron Beard Dec. 21, 2020 12:31 PM EST

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) celebrates victory against Florida after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. Alabama won 52-46. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Unbeaten Alabama faces underdog Notre Dame in CFP semifinal

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 05:04 PM EST

Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry celebrates after sacking Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP)
Lawrence, No. 4 Clemson rout No. 2 Notre Dame for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 19, 2020 07:40 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) fends off Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
With Lawrence back Clemson-Notre Dame meet for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 PM EST

FILE - Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence watches players warm up for an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again against likely No. 1 overall 2021 NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Notre Dame looks for 1st ACC title ever vs. favored Clemson

The Associated Press Dec. 17, 2020 03:31 PM EST

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) wave after the team's win over Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Deja vu: A Notre Dame-Clemson rematch with title stakes

By John Fineran Dec. 13, 2020 03:08 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) celebrates after running for a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Book leads No. 2 Irish past Syracuse 45-21; Clemson next up

John Fineran Dec. 05, 2020 06:30 PM EST

Syracuse wide receiver Taj Harris (3) gets tackled during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at the in Syracuse, N.Y. (Scott Schild /The Post-Standard via AP)
No. 2 Irish close out home schedule against Syracuse

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 04:39 PM EST

Syracuse tight end Aaron Hackett (89) celebrates his touchdown catch against Boston College with teammates during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. (Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard via AP)
No. 2 Irish hope to build ACC, CFP resume against Orange

By John Fineran Dec. 03, 2020 02:51 PM EST

Notre Dame's Kyren Williams (23) scores on a one-yard against North Carolina during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
No. 2 Notre Dame rolling behind talent and quality depth

By John Fineran Dec. 01, 2020 04:57 PM EST

Notre Dame's George Takacs (85) gets past North Carolina's Tyrone Hopper (42) picking up 13 yards on a pass completion from quarterback Ian Book (12) and dive toward the goal line, but is stopped short during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
Book, defense help No. 2 Notre Dame beat No. 25 UNC 31-17

By Aaron Beard Nov. 27, 2020 07:10 PM EST

North Carolina wide receiver Dyami Brown (2) catches a pass as Notre Dame cornerback TaRiq Bracy (28) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Notre Dame at North Carolina 11/27/2020

Nov. 27, 2020 05:31 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaves the field with his teammates after Clemson lost to Notre Dame 47-40 in two overtimes during an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. As virus disruptions mount and the Dec. 19 end of college football's regular season draws closer, the possibility grows that conference championships, major awards and even College Football Playoff participants will be determined by COVID-19. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Clemson at Notre Dame 11/7/2020

Nov. 12, 2020 05:25 PM EST

Fans storm the field after Notre Dame defeated the Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Williams settles in as go-to RB for No. 2 Notre Dame

By Caroline Pineda Nov. 12, 2020 02:02 AM EST

Notre Dame safety Shaun Crawford (20) celebrates after Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
After breakthrough vs. Clemson, BC looms for Notre Dame

By John Fineran Nov. 08, 2020 03:19 PM EST

Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) celebrates after a touchdown against Clemson during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 4 Notre Dame sacks No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in double OT

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2020 12:00 AM EST