Draft outlook: Cierre Wood

Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost the National Championship game last week, and knowing they were losing Theo Riddick who was in his senior year, they were probably hopeful that they could use the other member of the dual running threat, Cierre Wood as their Number 1 running back in the 2013 season.  The most likely hope to maintain some of the form for next season.

Alas, the hope of Brian Kelly - who himself committed to the Irish after flirting with the Philadelphia Eagles - to maintain returning starters much like Alabama do, has diminished as underclassman Wood has declared for the 2013 draft in April.

Wood is currently predicted to be anything from a third to a seventh round draft pick; he hopes to elevate his position based on workouts and interviews.  However, he is currently ranked behind his team-mate Theo Riddick and way behind more renowned backs Montee Ball (Wisconsin) and Eddie Lacy (Alabama).

However, this decision by Wood, part determined by his one-year old daughter and wanting to secure money for her future as well as his own with Notre Dame being popular at the moment and helping the team to a 12-1 season; it could well become a decision that is the wrong one.

Looking over his stats for his three years at the school; 2012 was not even Wood's best season.  This season he garnered 742 rushing yards off of 114 attempts, an average of 6.5 per rush with 3 games of over 100 plus rushing yards.

However, in 2011 he was the sole back and garnered off of 217 carries, 1102 yards at an average of 5.1 yards and 9 touchdowns, in contrast to this season when he only got 4 touchdowns.

This is due to the system employed by the Irish to use both Wood and senior Theo Riddick as a dual running threat.  This meant sharing the workload and carries, and it can be seen that Riddick being the more senior player got the rub of the green.  Riddick had 76 more carries (190), more yards (175) and one more touchdown; as well as two receiving touchdowns in which Wood was hardly ever used as a receiver; whereas Riddick caught 36 passes for 370 yards (10.1 avg) and 2 touchdowns.

It is quite clear to make the case that Wood, a returning senior is South Bend, would have got the brunt of the work and carries next season.  And for Kelly and the Irish to have one returning star would have been gratifying as Tyler Eifert, the stud tight end has also declared for the NFL.  This means in some respect, the Irish are starting over on offence.

Wood, can be expected to be taken low in the draft, maybe a fifth/sixth round pick-up if his workouts and interviews allow him to improve his status.  However, he did not do himself any favours in the National Championship game where he had four carries for just two yards, with no receptions.  Unlike, Riddick who did score a touchdown in the blowout against Alabama.

Riddick, may well have the more upside coming out of the draft, his ability to catch passes and gain yards make him a useful utility back in the mould of a Danny Woodhead-figure who can gain huge yardage from a variety of positions and schemes.  Wood, can be expected to be drafted, by a team that requires a back-up running back for those short yardage gains.  However, neither can be considered an every down back at this stage in their careers.

Whilst Brian Kelly wishes Wood every luck in the draft, you can imagine him saying this through gritted teeth.

Notre Dame v Alabama Preview

Much like me writing for this preview, for Notre Dame there is no better time than the present.

In Miami tonight, the Fighting Irish take on the Crimson Tide of Alabama - the current National College champions - for all the marbles to be declared the National title winners and the best team in College Football for the year 2012.

Ever since this game was made in December leading to 40 days of anticipation and preparation, there has been much spoken of between the two teams and where the game will be won or lost.

Firstly, this game will not be a high-scoring classic akin to the game between Vince Young's Texas and Reggie Bush's USC when there was 70 plus points, you will probably have a lower scoring game like last year's 21-0 match between Alabama and the LSU Tigers.  Both teams will also score that is certain.

Throughout the season, you have two teams that have committed the fewest turnovers but also teams have converted those turnovers into points and wins.  Notre Dame with the ever-improving Everett Golson under centre have a quarterback who commits few turnovers, maintains control of the ball helped by the dual threat running backs of Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood. Tyler Eifert who can play tight end or wide receiver is a potent threat to any defence.

Alabama have the better quarterback in AJ McCarron - a competent player who is able to make the bigger plays.  That deeper threat may lead to more takeaways, but as he showed in the road win at Baton Rouge - McCarron can handle huge national exposure and pressure.

The defences will probably have more of a say than the offences; Notre Dame has a renowned front seven led by Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te'o they can stop the run led by senior Eddie Lacy and the younger TJ Yeldon.

Yet watch out for the ND red zone defence which twice this season has goal-line stops to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.  Alabama are no slouches themselves on defence, yet the inability to create turnovers against Johnny Manziel led to their one defeat at Texas A&M; for the Tide to win they need to pressure the composed Golson.

This may come down to versatility - and like the Seattle Seahawks have shown in recent weeks - there ability to score a lot of points is down to the great field position from punt returns and kick offs.  If Golson has less field to score on, then that will put less pressure on him and allows the defence to make their statement.

Another factor to remember is that this game is being played at night, the body clock of college athletes can be manipulated to perform at the optimum peak level when required.  Notre Dame have played the majority of their games this season late starting at 8pm prime-time.  Alabama have played a lot of mid-afternoon kick offs of 3-4pm; it may not matter but the physiology of young athletes cannot be discounted.

My prediction is that this may well come down to a field goal, the score will be 20-17 to the Irish who will gain their first National Championship since 1988.

Follow me on twitter @JamieGarwood