Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has a big task in Monday’s BCS championship game as the Crimson Tide’s offense goes up against a Notre Dame team that leads the nation in scoring defense.

“They’ve given up 10.3 points a game, they do a great job of keeping you out of the end zone,” the former Idaho quarterback said. “The goal of the game is to score points.”

Nussmeier’s offense has been solid in his first season. ‘Bama has already set a school record for points in a season with 500, 23 points better than the 1973 team. Now comes a meeting with a defense that has yielded just two rushing touchdowns this season.

“They’ve created a lot of lost-yardage plays in the red zone, and when you get behind the sticks and you get out of rhythm down there it’s very difficult because obviously the field shrinks,” Nussmeier said.