It's all about the OL's and DL's. According to Wagertalk.com, Clemson is number one in rushing yards per carry and number one in yards per carry allowed on Defense. Has anybody ever done that? They are a real threat to beat Bama and their dominance up front on O and D will make it very difficult on the Irish. Only a masterful performance by Book and a defense that plays their best game of the year will give the Irish any chance at all. Look for the spread to continue to rise as the game approaches. It's been a great season but reality is approaching. Do you believe in Miracles?
ND and Clemson played 4 common ACC schools. Considering the games were played at different points in each teams schedule and that ND was a team in rebuilding all year, the results in comparing common foes is not far apart. The only team of stature outside of the ACC that Clemson played was Texas A&M who almost beat them, and then faded from national contention as the year went on.
I would say the spread presently should be one TD and either team could win the game with either a good performance or a turnover at a key point.
(no message)
(no message)
(no message)
While we all know Clemson is good, using stats to validate that against their weak-ass schedule is just plain ludicrous.
(no message)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CCwxMvXPZo
(no message)
ND is #3 vs. #2 and has a good shot if they play the right game plan the right way.
It will be a challenge, as it should be, but ND’s chances aren’t “slim” going in....
(no message)
Bama, that's a different story..
Syracuse kept an extra blocker in and the Clemson DL was not the factor they usually are. The 'Cuse put up 23, Texas AM 26, and South Carolina 21 in the first half. The Irish will score in the mid to high 20's.
The Irish defense will be fine. Unless you think the Texas AM defense (held them to 28), Syracuse defense (held them to 27), Boston College defense (held them to 27), are better. I would name more teams but all they played was crap. If three 3 teams held them to 27/28, ND will hold them to 20.
Go watch a few of their games.
It was turnovers and the Clemson QB getting knocked out that most impacted that game. Syracuse had one good TD drive, mostly through the air. The other TD drive was 10 yards after a TO. ‘Cuse had a run for 19 yards on its first drive. After that they totaled 42 yards rushing the rest of the game. Clemson’s D front is phenomenal, and anyone thinking otherwise is kidding themselves. Long has a lot of work to do.
A year ago against Georgia, Michel and Chubb combined for 127yds. on 43 carries. I think we're capable of a similar effort against Etienne and Feaster. Lawrence, while dubbed as the greatest thing since sliced bread, is still a freshman. I think slowing the run game will put some pressure on the kid. I don't know if we'll ever lay a glove on him, but I believe he'll eventually have our company in the backfield, and hopefully won't enjoy it. Book is capable of a passing game similar to that which we saw from Fromm against Alabama, that looked like it would have worked against any good defense. Clemson's schedule, while good, hasn't been anything earth shattering. Maybe I'm just too optimistic on this one.
Go back to your UM board and bitch there.
This is a game where Kelly will use the pass to open up the run game. I bet we see emergence of Austin to help spread the field. And could we see Lenzy? Hope so.
Scar was able to run some too. Denson and Dowdle combined for 111 yards on 21 carries. That said, Clemson has a tremendous D, especially against the run. ND’s work is cut out for it.