Cotton Bowl: Clemson vs. Notre Dame

[txTIGER1963]

ok domers any one up for a vcash bet?

 

[Ron G]

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.

Generally I agree. Except the fallacy of the weak SOS. Of the top 7 teams Clemson's opponents and Notre Dame's Opponents have the highest winning % going into the Conference Championships. Ten of Notre Dames opponents are P5 so those 10 played basically equal schedules of every P5 teams and ended up with highest winning %. Clemson was first , ND. For those who believe Clemson and HD played weak schedules please point out who played a more difficult schedule.

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

 

[tnapucco]

come on in IB Edisto is good people

NO HE'S NOT, HE'S A BUSH ENTHUSIAST.

...AND I AIN'T TALKIN' BOUT PRESIDENTS.

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

NO HE'S NOT, HE'S A BUSH ENTHUSIAST.

...AND I AIN'T TALKIN' BOUT PRESIDENTS.

 

[ericd7633]

FUCK YOU CLEMSON!!!

take it easy on us.

 

[michigaNDer]

ok domers any one up for a vcash bet?

I'll bet. Give me the 12. I see it at 12.5 some places, so it is rising.

I don't know what the Vcash thing is, and I don't care.

Loser has to post a pic of himself with a background of vaginas on every thread until they get banned.

 

[txTIGER1963]

I'll bet. Give me the 12. I see it at 12.5 some places, so it is rising.

I don't know what the Vcash thing is, and I don't care.

Loser has to post a pic of himself with a background of vaginas on every thread until they get banned.

no points for you
you either have faith your team belongs or you dont

 

[txTIGER1963]

NO HE'S NOT, HE'S A BUSH ENTHUSIAST.

...AND I AIN'T TALKIN' BOUT PRESIDENTS.

well #metoo, bring back the bush

 

[catlanta33]

well #metoo, bring back the bush

Seriously. At least, something. I don't want my women to be mistaken for the pool AG pulls from.

 

[michigaNDer]

no points for you
you either have faith your team belongs or you dont

You a damn fool! Nobody would not take the points.
Sad. Vegas has more confidence in your team than you do.......

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

well #metoo, bring back the bush

Seriously. At least, something. I don't want my women to be mistaken for the pool AG pulls from.

 

[NDGreg]

let the point spread go up. ND plays to the games hype. Let Clemson overlook ND and see where they're at with 4 minutes left in the 4th with a green qb

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

Cotton Bowl History Leading Up to Clemson vs. Notre Dame

 

[michigaNDer]

 

[NDGreg]

go watch previous ND games and see what the defense looks like. They still have a high motor and ears pinned back in the last 2 possessions. The defense plays with aggression when the game is on the line in the 4th. Go ahead and keep raising the spread.

 

[_rolltideroll_]

The clumps have a girl QB and a Renfrow. Domers are going to get their shit pushed in... I'm afraid.

 

[NDGreg]

I'd rather see ND play a 13-0 team then a 7-5 team. A totally different game. ND wins 4 against 7-5 and plays out of their minds versus 13-0. Bring it

 

[michigaNDer]

The clumps have a girl QB and a Renfrow. Domers are going to get their shit pushed in... I'm afraid.

You're afraid of the dark . Turn that Bama nightlight on and dont lie restless, worrying about that 5'9" Heisman winner.

 

[Rolltide94]

go watch previous ND games and see what the defense looks like. They still have a high motor and ears pinned back in the last 2 possessions. The defense plays with aggression when the game is on the line in the 4th. Go ahead and keep raising the spread.

You guys gonna make Etienne run through those finger tackles too?