Brian Kelly focuses on family to motivate No. 1 Irish - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

The National Championship is still three weeks away but the money is rolling with the Tide. Alabama moved from an 8 ½ to 10 point favorite, but don't underestimate the luck of the Irish.

The last time Notre Dame won a national title, Brian Kelly was considering a career in politics. The team's return more than 20 years later doesn't have the head coach second-guessing.

"Governor of South Bend? Is there a governor of South Bend," Kelly asked.

He'd get at least one vote from Fred's Transmission and Clutch. And likely 100 more from his No. 1 ranked team going through media day for the biggest game in college football.

"He really took the time out of his schedule to get to know his players. It obviously has paid dividends with this in this year. It has a lot to do with our success," said Manti Te'o, Notre Dame linebacker.

So does Te'o, the most decorated player in Irish football history.

"No individual can carry this team to this big dance and we understood that and everybody just bought in because of the family aspect, this family is playing against a really good Alabama team," Te'o said.

"They really care about each other. When you care about each other, you have a chance to be a good football team. And that came together this year," Kelly said.

The Irish are a heavy underdog in facing Alabama, and no one on this team is surprised. They have played that way a lot this season. Kelly has used that fact as motivation in the past. But for this game he has focused more on the preparation, making sure the Irish peak three weeks from Monday.