When the BCS championship game point spread was posted a month ago, Alabama was a 10-point favorite over resurgent Notre Dame.

Fast forward to game day and the Crimson Tide remain a big favorite at most Vegas and online sportsbooks. But bettors are giving lots of love to the Fighting Irish, with some books reporting as much as two-thirds of the betting volume on Notre Dame .

Most shops have Alabama as 9.5-point chalk today, but one still had them at -10, despite seeing a vast majority of bets on Notre Dame.

“Money keeps pouring in on Notre Dame even getting 10 points,” said Kevin Bradley, sportsbook manager at Bovada .

No. 2 Alabama 42, No. 1 Notre Dame 14 Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Top images   Pregame color, key plays and other moments from the blowout. 'Bama blows out ND as Tide rolls to another title Tide rolls to No. 1 in AP poll for record 9th time CFT: Record 9th AP title for 'Bama |  Coaches' poll Estes: Saban also No. 1 in coaching ranks?   DPS: Saban won't partake in dynasty talk Fast start helps Tide roll to victory Feisty McCarron guides 'Bama   |  Lacy romps CFT vote: Is a three-peat in store for 'Bama Irish: Five things we learned from lopsided loss CSN: Irish here to stay  |  But Te'o done CFT: What went wrong for ND? | 'D' disappears Notre Dame Central: Special section on Irish   Slideshow: BCS title game winners CFT: Sneak peak to '13 college football season

“It will be tough to move off that number as I expect some sharp bettors are waiting to see if will go to 9.5 and then slam a bunch of big money behind Alabama. As it stands right now, the book is a big Bama fan and I cannot complain about needing a 10 point favorite.”

Indeed, other shops are reporting that more small bets from recreational bettors are on the Irish, while the ‘sharp’ or more experienced bettors are backing Alabama. Some handicappers point to the fact that the SEC has dominated this game, winning all six BCS title games and covering the spread each time as more evidence that Irish bettors should rethink their positions.

They also point out that Notre Dame, despite their excellent season and legacy hype, are lucky to be here. They needed a Kansas State upset at the hands of Baylor and an Oregon upset in overtime against Stanford to leapfrog contenders to the No. 1 BCS slot.

Handicapping Data
Point Spread: Alabama -9.5 to -10 (as of Monday morning)
Total: 40.5 to 41 (both teams allowed just 10 points per game this season)
Consensus Betting: 61.7% of bets on Notre Dame (according to Odds Shark Consensus )
Betting Volume: 65% of money on Notre Dame (according to Bovada) *Note: other sportsbooks have the spread at -9.5 and saw far more large wagers on Alabama than on the Irish
Offense edge: Alabama 38.5 PPG – 26.8 PPG
Defense edge: Notre Dame 10.7 PPG – 10.3 PPG
Differential: Alabama 27.8 PPG - 16.4 PPG

BCS Game Trends:

• 10 of past 11 Notre Dame games went UNDER the total
• Alabama just 1-4 ATS past 5 games overall
• Notre Dame 2-8 ATS past 10 bowl games
• Alabama 3-0 SU and ATS past three bowl games
• Favorite is 4-1 ATS past 5 BCS title games
• SEC has won & covered all 6 BCS title games