By Mike Hiserman and Chris Dufresne

January 7, 2013, 8:51 p.m.

Alabama has won its third Bowl Championship Series title in four years, overwhelming top-ranked Notre Dame, 42-14, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Coach Nick Saban's teams have won four national championships. He won his first as coach at Louisiana State.

Former Alabama Coach Bear Bryant won six national titles.

Notre Dame came into the game unbeaten but still a nine-point underdog. And it was a far bigger mismatch than that.

Alabama dominated from the start Monday night, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions against a Notre Dame defense that was giving up a national-best 10.3 yards per game.

AJ McCarron, who became the first quarterback in the BCS era to win back-to-back national titles as a starter, completed 20 of 28 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns. His favorite target was freshman Amari Cooper, who had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

The Crimson Tide rolled on the ground, too, while stuffing Notre Dame's running back.

Alabama rushed for 265 yards and two touchdowns against a defense that had given up an average of 92.4 yards and had surrendered two rushing touchdowns all season before tonight.

Eddie Lacy ran for 140 yards and a touchdown in 20 carries. T.J. Yeldon carried 21 times for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Meantime, Notre Dame's run attack was next to non existent. The Irish ran for 32 yards in 19 carries.

Quarterback Everett Golson did what he could for the Irish, completing 21 of 36 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown with one interception while scrambling for his life. He also ran for a touchdown.

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It was tough to tell who was more upset during Alabama's last possession, Coach Nick Saban or quarterback AJ McCarron.

All over one play.

Saban was screaming at the officials -- the Pac-12's best -- after a delay of game penalty was called just after McCarron screamed at his roommate, All-American center Barrett Jones, for not snapping the ball.

After play was blown dead, McCarron contined to bark at best-buddy Jones, who turned on him and gave him a shove.

If only Notre Dame was that competitive against Alabama's offense.

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Alabama 42, Notre Dame 14 (7:51 left in fourth quarter)

Considering the circumstances, Everett Golson is playing pretty well for Notre Dame.