ISD Game Predictions: Clemson
It’s Friday again, and that means game prediction time once again. The Irish are looking to extend their recent win streak with a game in Death Valley against Clemson. The Tigers are trying to salvage their season after a disastrous start. Which team comes out on top in this early Saturday clash of titans?
Mike Frank
I know many people think Clemson isn’t that great of a team, and that may be true based on their record, but they’re still a very talented team, especially on defense. And what is Notre Dame’s weakness?
Both team’s strengths (defense) match up well with the other’s weakness (offense), so I expect a fairly low scoring game. It’s easy to predict the Irish will struggle in this game on offense, but then you remember Notre Dame ran for 263 yards and 5.2 yards per carry last year against what was arguably considered a “better” defense.
I have to feel that Clemson’s coaching staff is very much in the same position as Notre Dame’s was heading into the USC game, so I expect their best effort on Saturday, which may make this game more difficult than some might think.
I feel pretty confident Clemson won’t score much in this game, but I’m just not sure how much success ND’s offense will have against this Tiger defense. Regardless, I think it will be be enough to beat Clemson.
Notre Dame 23, Clemson 14
Matt Freeman
Notre Dame has more talent, but Death Valley is a tough place to play and the Tigers want revenge. The good news is it will be tough for the Tigers to hit explosive plays as they have a horrific offensive line and it will likely be even worse with the injury to Marcus Tate.
Sam Hartman shouldn’t be overwhelmed and that matters as the Irish will face probably the best defense on the schedule.
Notre Dame 24, Clemson 16
Greg Flammang
There is a fair amount of trepidation for me going into this game. Clemson is very good against the run, 16th in the nation in yards per carry allowed. We know Notre Dame is without Mitchell Evans, and Jayden Thomas hasn’t looked healthy since the Central Michigan contest.
Clemson is not a good offensive team, and their matchup against Notre Dame’s defensive side is the biggest mismatch in the game. Cade Klubnik has lost 7 fumbles on the season to go with his five interceptions, and Notre Dame is in the top 10 in turnover margin while Clemson is 96th.
It is the last stat that I believe will carry the day. Notre Dame will struggle against the Clemson defense, but Clemson will give up a touchdown to Notre Dame’s defense and Al Golden will have Klubnik in knots.
Can’t go with my pre-season pick of 39-28, but I will keep the winning margin.
Notre Dame 24, Clemson 13
Jamie Uyeyama
Notre Dame on the road against a very good defense doesn't exactly give me confidence they'll score a ton of points. We've seen that play out badly for them a couple of times this season and Clemson's defense is better than Duke's and Louisville's.
Clemson was embarrassed by the Irish last season. They were bullies and Clemson doesn't want that to happen again. That means they are going to be loaded and ready to play the run, which means Notre Dame is going to have to find a way to win in the passing game. Against this secondary, that's going to be difficult to do.
Fortunately, I don't think the Notre Dame offense will have to hit too many big plays in the passing game to win. They'll be boosted by short fields because the defense is going to cause havoc against a fragile Clemson offense. Cade Klubnik has a turnover problem. He'll give the ball to Notre Dame, the crowd will get restless, and Clemson will yet again waste a strong performance from their defense.
Add in a big play from the Irish special teams and they'll pull away in the second half.
Notre Dame 24, Clemson 14
Christian McCollum
The Irish control, but don't dominate the game against the Tigers.
Clemson appears to poised to take the lead in the third quarter when quarterback Cade Klubnik finds a rhythm, but the Irish force a turnover in the red zone.
Sam Hartman, Rico Flores and Jeremiyah Love then lead Notre Dame on a dominant drive that stretches into the fourth quarter and puts the Irish up by two scores essentially clinching the win.
It isn't the prettiest win of the season for Notre Dame, but the Irish clear what appears to be their final steep challenge of the season heading into the final couple games.
Notre Dame 27, Clemson 14
Andrew Mentock
Honestly, I was very close to picking Clemson in this matchup. The Tigers are at home, and if they take care of the ball, it’s hard to see
With that said, Notre Dame forces turnovers as well as any team in the country, and it seems unlikely Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik gets through the game without putting the ball on the ground once or twice or throwing an interception.
That gives Notre Dame enough of an advantage to pull out a close victory on the road.
Notre Dame 24, Clemson 23