Cotton Bowl: Clemson vs. Notre Dame

[IrishBlooded]

that is too many points to lay out against an undefeated team
no way in hell I would bet much on the game, maybe the O/U but I have not seen it

He bet that Cuse would cover the spread against ND. It was like 11 or 12. Said it was 'guaranteed money, ND isn't good enough to stop Cuse even in S. Bend.'

I didn't even try to talk him out of it. Fuck him

 

[Yo Tee]

Comparing their similar schedules:

Clemson:

Wake Forest - 63-3
Pittsburgh - 42-10
Florida State - 49-10
Syracuse - 27-23

Notre Dame:

Wake Forest - 56-27
Pittsburgh - 19-14
Florida State - 42-13
Syracuse - 36-3

Comparing their seasons:

Notre Dame hasn't allowed more than 27 points all year
Clemson has allowed more than 26 points once (South Carolina)
Notre Dame has 5 wins by 1 TD or less
Clemson has 2 wins by 1 TD or less

As much as I want Notre Dame to win this game, I do think Clemson pulls it out. I think it will be a defensive battle and I think it's gonna be low scoring.

Clemson 24
Notre Dame 17

 

[Badb]

Where you Domers at?

Should be a good game.
For Clemson

 

[michigaNDer]

Should be a good game.
For Clemson

Talk to me, Cletus. What do you got?

 

[TJabroni]

He bet that Cuse would cover the spread against ND. It was like 11 or 12. Said it was 'guaranteed money, ND isn't good enough to stop Cuse even in S. Bend.'

I didn't even try to talk him out of it. Fuck him

In his defense, that 11 or 12 looks a lot better with Dungey playing. ND probably wins by 17+ either way though.

 

[Badb]

Talk to me, Cletus. What do you got?

You know Clemson will 2 deep ND to death and pull away in the end.
Thanks for listening alter boy

 

[michigaNDer]

You know Clemson will 2 deep ND to death and pull away in the end.
Thanks for listening alter boy

You can do better than that. I've seen Ball St. Posters that talk better smack.

 

[DeafOranguntan]

Comparing their similar schedules:

Clemson:

Wake Forest - 63-3
Pittsburgh - 42-10
Florida State - 49-10
Syracuse - 27-23

Notre Dame:

Wake Forest - 56-27
Pittsburgh - 19-14
Florida State - 42-13
Syracuse - 36-3

Comparing their seasons:

Notre Dame hasn't allowed more than 27 points all year
Clemson has allowed more than 26 points once (South Carolina)
Notre Dame has 5 wins by 1 TD or less
Clemson has 2 wins by 1 TD or less

As much as I want Notre Dame to win this game, I do think Clemson pulls it out. I think it will be a defensive battle and I think it's gonna be low scoring.

Clemson 24
Notre Dame 17

I do think Notre Dame is a lot better than people give them credit for. I've seen a lot of people suggest that Clemson will beat them 30+ points, and I can't visualize that. However, I don't like the people who just look at the Syracuse game and say, "Notre Dame is clearly better than Clemson." Clemson played a healthy Syracuse with their third string quarterback. Notre Dame got to play a very beat up Syracuse that lost its quarterback early in the second quarter. Statistically, there is a gap. The two teams have a similarly (bad) strength of schedule.

Clemson:
Averages 45.5 points (50 since Lawrence)
Allows 12.75 points (First string defense hasn't allowed a touchdown since Lawrence except by Carolina)
#5 Scoring Offense (#2 since Lawrence)
#5 Total Offense (#3 since Lawrence)
#28 Passing Offense (#10 since Lawrence - which is probably most significant since Bryant was run first)
#9 Rushing Offense
#1 in yards per carry (6.75)
#11 sacks allowed
#1 Scoring Defense
#4 Total Defense
#18 Passing Defense (obviously a possible weakness for Clemson)
#3 Sacks
#1 Rushing Defense
#1 in defensive yards per carry (2.4)
talent on roster (15 5 stars, 31 4 stars)


Notre Dame:
Averages 33.75 points (37.2 with Book)
Allows 17.25 points
#34 Scoring Offense
#28 Total Offense
#31 Passing Offense (#26 since Book)
#49 Rushing Offense
#56 in Yards per Carry (4.56)
#33 sacks allowed
#9 Scoring Defense
#21 Total Defense
#36 Passing Defense
#39 Sacks
#39 Rushing Defense
#29 in defensive yards per carry (3.68)
talent on roster (1 5 star, 42 4 stars)

Clemson's starters also play significantly less than Notre Dame, with Clemson playing the most reserve players in the country, their entire 95 player roster, and over 80 in four games. Despite the gap in statistics, Notre Dame is a good, well-rounded football team. Watching them, I don't see a big weakness. They just keep winning, and haven't really looked bad at any point. This is a huge game for Notre Dame, as they're playing for national respect, and beating Clemson would show everyone that they belong among the elites, and getting blown out will damage their program for years. Clemson has a problem getting up for certain games, and everyone knows the seniors returned for a fourth shot at the Crimson Tide, which could distract them.

That said, it seems to me that Notre Dame is more of a finesse team whose line is good, but isn't extremely dominant on either side of the ball. Clemson obviously has a historic defensive line that's the best in the country and has erased pretty much every rushing attack its faced. Notre Dame's line has struggled to push back opposing D lines to help their running backs, especially since Bars was knocked out for the season, Notre Dame's best player in my mind. I think it's very unlikely that Notre Dame will be able to run the ball. Offensive production will largely lie on Book's shoulders. He is a good quarterback, but doesn't really play the type of football to single-handedly win the game. And Clemson has played a couple better quarterbacks in Daniel Jones, Finley, Mond, and Bentley. Bentley torched them, so that should give the Irish hope. Notre Dame also has some good receivers, notably Miles Boykin. I don't think he's as good as Kelvin Harmon, whom Clemson contained to 2 receptions for 13 yards, Greg Dortch, held to -5 yards, Jakobi Meyers, who had a good day of 61 yards, or Deebo Samuel, who decimated Clemson's secondary with 210 yards. However, he probably is the 5th best receiver Clemson will have seen, is extremely explosive, and they have to take special care to cover him so he doesn't get loose like Deebo did. As a whole, I would say the Irish have the third or fourth best receiving corps Clemson will have faced, so they could get some nice yardage if Clemson doesn't play tight. I do believe Venables is the best defensive coordinator in the country, and that he was so disgusted with the sloppiness displayed against Carolina, that the secondary might bend, but will not break against Irish. Book will have to have a great day, and the line will have to keep Clemson from hitting him, and he'll probably have to try very quick passes, which he is good at.

On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame has had a lot of trouble stopping running backs, getting gashed for more than 200 yards rushing several times and allowing over 150 yards several more times. Clemson will have the best offensive line they'll have seen, as well as the two best running backs they'll have seen in Etienne and Feaster. Lawrence is also the best quarterback they'll have seen, and has some fantastic wide-receivers. However, he is young, and while he hasn't gotten rattled yet, could possibly make mistakes in a big game after getting sacked a few times. Notre Dame will have to up their sack game, especially since Clemson's line is good at keeping the defense off of him, allowing less than .75 sacks a game. However, Notre Dame will have a month to prepare for Clemson's offense, which typically favors the defense, and I think they'll come in strong.

I'm predicting a 31-14 final score, Clemson.

 

[michigaNDer]

I do think Notre Dame is a lot better than people give them credit for. I've seen a lot of people suggest that Clemson will beat them 30+ points, and I can't visualize that. However, I don't like the people who just look at the Syracuse game and say, "Notre Dame is clearly better than Clemson." Clemson played a healthy Syracuse with their third string quarterback. Notre Dame got to play a very beat up Syracuse that lost its quarterback early in the second quarter. Statistically, there is a gap. The two teams have a similarly (bad) strength of schedule.

Clemson:
Averages 45.5 points (50 since Lawrence)
Allows 12.75 points (First string defense hasn't allowed a touchdown since Lawrence except by Carolina)
#5 Scoring Offense (#2 since Lawrence)
#5 Total Offense (#3 since Lawrence)
#28 Passing Offense (#10 since Lawrence - which is probably most significant since Bryant was run first)
#9 Rushing Offense
#1 in yards per carry (6.75)
#11 sacks allowed
#1 Scoring Defense
#4 Total Defense
#18 Passing Defense (obviously a possible weakness for Clemson)
#3 Sacks
#1 Rushing Defense
#1 in defensive yards per carry (2.4)
talent on roster (15 5 stars, 31 4 stars)


Notre Dame:
Averages 33.75 points (37.2 with Book)
Allows 17.25 points
#34 Scoring Offense
#28 Total Offense
#31 Passing Offense (#26 since Book)
#49 Rushing Offense
#56 in Yards per Carry (4.56)
#33 sacks allowed
#9 Scoring Defense
#21 Total Defense
#36 Passing Defense
#39 Sacks
#39 Rushing Defense
#29 in defensive yards per carry (3.68)
talent on roster (1 5 star, 42 4 stars)

Clemson's starters also play significantly less than Notre Dame, with Clemson playing the most reserve players in the country, their entire 95 player roster, and over 80 in four games. Despite the gap in statistics, Notre Dame is a good, well-rounded football team. Watching them, I don't see a big weakness. They just keep winning, and haven't really looked bad at any point. This is a huge game for Notre Dame, as they're playing for national respect, and beating Clemson would show everyone that they belong among the elites, and getting blown out will damage their program for years. Clemson has a problem getting up for certain games, and everyone knows the seniors returned for a fourth shot at the Crimson Tide, which could distract them.

That said, it seems to me that Notre Dame is more of a finesse team whose line is good, but isn't extremely dominant on either side of the ball. Clemson obviously has a historic defensive line that's the best in the country and has erased pretty much every rushing attack its faced. Notre Dame's line has struggled to push back opposing D lines to help their running backs, especially since Bars was knocked out for the season, Notre Dame's best player in my mind. I think it's very unlikely that Notre Dame will be able to run the ball. Offensive production will largely lie on Book's shoulders. He is a good quarterback, but doesn't really play the type of football to single-handedly win the game. And Clemson has played a couple better quarterbacks in Daniel Jones, Finley, Mond, and Bentley. Bentley torched them, so that should give the Irish hope. Notre Dame also has some good receivers, notably Miles Boykin. I don't think he's as good as Kelvin Harmon, whom Clemson contained to 2 receptions for 13 yards, Greg Dortch, held to -5 yards, Jakobi Meyers, who had a good day of 61 yards, or Deebo Samuel, who decimated Clemson's secondary with 210 yards. However, he probably is the 5th best receiver Clemson will have seen, is extremely explosive, and they have to take special care to cover him so he doesn't get loose like Deebo did. As a whole, I would say the Irish have the third or fourth best receiving corps Clemson will have faced, so they could get some nice yardage if Clemson doesn't play tight. I do believe Venables is the best defensive coordinator in the country, and that he was so disgusted with the sloppiness displayed against Carolina, that the secondary might bend, but will not break against Irish. Book will have to have a great day, and the line will have to keep Clemson from hitting him, and he'll probably have to try very quick passes, which he is good at.

On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame has had a lot of trouble stopping running backs, getting gashed for more than 200 yards rushing several times and allowing over 150 yards several more times. Clemson will have the best offensive line they'll have seen, as well as the two best running backs they'll have seen in Etienne and Feaster. Lawrence is also the best quarterback they'll have seen, and has some fantastic wide-receivers. However, he is young, and while he hasn't gotten rattled yet, could possibly make mistakes in a big game after getting sacked a few times. Notre Dame will have to up their sack game, especially since Clemson's line is good at keeping the defense off of him, allowing less than .75 sacks a game. However, Notre Dame will have a month to prepare for Clemson's offense, which typically favors the defense, and I think they'll come in strong.

I'm predicting a 31-14 final score, Clemson.

Thanks fir taking your time. Disagree on some of it.

 

[winonesoon]

I could not have said it as good as you but that is exactly what i was thinking. Only my prediction is 35-17 but close at half time. Great post DeafOranguntan

 

[cwalke3408]

@txTIGER1963 @Nohelp @CTN @Whoa Nelly KJ @winonesoon @RubinRock @Badb

 

[michigaNDer]

@Cletus

 

[cwalke3408]

In all seriousness tho, the Clemson-Notre damn game a few years back was maybe the most fun I’ve ever had at a game. Helluva day.

Definitely the most memorial game day I've been to, hopping from tent to tent, dry spot to dry spot was an adventure in its self.

 

[winonesoon]

Who is going to this game? I was wanting to go even if I couldn't get tickets but I have to have a job since i'm a poor.

 

[michigaNDer]

Who is going to this game? I was wanting to go even if I couldn't get tickets but I have to have a job since i'm a poor.

I'll be in Miami. ESPN projected that's where the game would be, while Bama was in Dallas. Got plane tickets and Hotel

 

[winonesoon]

That is awful luck but it will be an enjoyable trip. I asked off but it is during our plant shutdown and I am required to be there. Hope you have a great trip except for one event.

 

[Yo Tee]

I do think Notre Dame is a lot better than people give them credit for. I've seen a lot of people suggest that Clemson will beat them 30+ points, and I can't visualize that. However, I don't like the people who just look at the Syracuse game and say, "Notre Dame is clearly better than Clemson." Clemson played a healthy Syracuse with their third string quarterback. Notre Dame got to play a very beat up Syracuse that lost its quarterback early in the second quarter. Statistically, there is a gap. The two teams have a similarly (bad) strength of schedule.

Clemson:
Averages 45.5 points (50 since Lawrence)
Allows 12.75 points (First string defense hasn't allowed a touchdown since Lawrence except by Carolina)
#5 Scoring Offense (#2 since Lawrence)
#5 Total Offense (#3 since Lawrence)
#28 Passing Offense (#10 since Lawrence - which is probably most significant since Bryant was run first)
#9 Rushing Offense
#1 in yards per carry (6.75)
#11 sacks allowed
#1 Scoring Defense
#4 Total Defense
#18 Passing Defense (obviously a possible weakness for Clemson)
#3 Sacks
#1 Rushing Defense
#1 in defensive yards per carry (2.4)
talent on roster (15 5 stars, 31 4 stars)


Notre Dame:
Averages 33.75 points (37.2 with Book)
Allows 17.25 points
#34 Scoring Offense
#28 Total Offense
#31 Passing Offense (#26 since Book)
#49 Rushing Offense
#56 in Yards per Carry (4.56)
#33 sacks allowed
#9 Scoring Defense
#21 Total Defense
#36 Passing Defense
#39 Sacks
#39 Rushing Defense
#29 in defensive yards per carry (3.68)
talent on roster (1 5 star, 42 4 stars)

Clemson's starters also play significantly less than Notre Dame, with Clemson playing the most reserve players in the country, their entire 95 player roster, and over 80 in four games. Despite the gap in statistics, Notre Dame is a good, well-rounded football team. Watching them, I don't see a big weakness. They just keep winning, and haven't really looked bad at any point. This is a huge game for Notre Dame, as they're playing for national respect, and beating Clemson would show everyone that they belong among the elites, and getting blown out will damage their program for years. Clemson has a problem getting up for certain games, and everyone knows the seniors returned for a fourth shot at the Crimson Tide, which could distract them.

That said, it seems to me that Notre Dame is more of a finesse team whose line is good, but isn't extremely dominant on either side of the ball. Clemson obviously has a historic defensive line that's the best in the country and has erased pretty much every rushing attack its faced. Notre Dame's line has struggled to push back opposing D lines to help their running backs, especially since Bars was knocked out for the season, Notre Dame's best player in my mind. I think it's very unlikely that Notre Dame will be able to run the ball. Offensive production will largely lie on Book's shoulders. He is a good quarterback, but doesn't really play the type of football to single-handedly win the game. And Clemson has played a couple better quarterbacks in Daniel Jones, Finley, Mond, and Bentley. Bentley torched them, so that should give the Irish hope. Notre Dame also has some good receivers, notably Miles Boykin. I don't think he's as good as Kelvin Harmon, whom Clemson contained to 2 receptions for 13 yards, Greg Dortch, held to -5 yards, Jakobi Meyers, who had a good day of 61 yards, or Deebo Samuel, who decimated Clemson's secondary with 210 yards. However, he probably is the 5th best receiver Clemson will have seen, is extremely explosive, and they have to take special care to cover him so he doesn't get loose like Deebo did. As a whole, I would say the Irish have the third or fourth best receiving corps Clemson will have faced, so they could get some nice yardage if Clemson doesn't play tight. I do believe Venables is the best defensive coordinator in the country, and that he was so disgusted with the sloppiness displayed against Carolina, that the secondary might bend, but will not break against Irish. Book will have to have a great day, and the line will have to keep Clemson from hitting him, and he'll probably have to try very quick passes, which he is good at.

On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame has had a lot of trouble stopping running backs, getting gashed for more than 200 yards rushing several times and allowing over 150 yards several more times. Clemson will have the best offensive line they'll have seen, as well as the two best running backs they'll have seen in Etienne and Feaster. Lawrence is also the best quarterback they'll have seen, and has some fantastic wide-receivers. However, he is young, and while he hasn't gotten rattled yet, could possibly make mistakes in a big game after getting sacked a few times. Notre Dame will have to up their sack game, especially since Clemson's line is good at keeping the defense off of him, allowing less than .75 sacks a game. However, Notre Dame will have a month to prepare for Clemson's offense, which typically favors the defense, and I think they'll come in strong.

I'm predicting a 31-14 final score, Clemson.

Nicely researched. Clemson is definitely the better team. I do think that Notre Dame is better than most are giving them credit for but I understand why people are underestimating them. Close games with unranked teams like USC, Ball State and Vanderbilt. I think it's a closer game only because I think ND's defense is better against better teams. They are averaging 15 ppg when playing ranked teams. I do agree Clemson wins but I think it is gonna be a closer game.

 

[Kaplony]

All I know is with the game in Jerry World we don't have to worry about jumping out to a commanding lead and taking our foot off the gas and trying to hold on for dear life like last time.

 

[SHillTiger]

Don't want to be that guy, but Clemson wins.

Thanks for ruining it for me. I was gonna watch sometime in the next month to see who won.

 

[michigaNDer]

I don't know, boys. You're getting me awfully worried. All those 5*s, those stats, and all our struggles. I'm starting to wish we were the 4 seed.