Q/A with Will Vandervort of The Clemson Insider | Part II
College football may or may not happen, but regardless of the coronavirus pandemic, Clemson coming to Notre Dame in November is still a hot topic across the sport.
It very well could be a battle of top 10 programs, if not top five programs and a win could have long-term implications for the Irish.
We caught up with our guy Will Vandervort from TheClemsonInsider.com to get his thoughts on some hot topics and to get a feel for how Clemson looks at the Notre Dame program.
What's been the vibe of Clemson fans and the program with a trip to Notre Dame on schedule?
Vandervort: “They are excited about it! Heck, I am excited about it! I have always dreamed of covering a game in South Bend and I have been looking forward to this trip since it was announced. Throw in the idea it could be a matchup of two top 10 teams and that makes it even better. Clemson likes having Notre Dame on the schedule because the Irish are a real football program. Notre Dame fans are as passionate about their football team as Clemson fans are and they like that and they look forward to going to South Bend and watching their Tigers play in one of the Meccas in college football."
Georgia took over Notre Dame Stadium...do you feel Clemson fans will try to do the same?
Vandervort "I can say this. Clemson fans love to travel, and they travel well. They especially love to travel to places they have not been to in a long time. They have not been to South Bend since 1979. For example, when Boston College joined the ACC in 2005 and the 2006 game was Clemson's first trip to Boston since the 1940s, they took over Chestnut Hill. There were more Clemson fans in the stadium that day than BC fans. When they went to Texas A&M a few years ago, they brought a lot of people with them, the same when they went to Auburn in 2016. Clemson travels well and they will have a lot of people there. Will it be as much as Georgia's? I don't know, but I expect a lot."
Other than winning championships, what is that took Clemson's recruiting to a higher level in the last two cycles?
Vandervort: "Dabo Swinney! They were already recruiting consistent top 10 and top 15 classes. Clemson has recorded 11 straight top 15 classes under Swinney, or something like that, and a lot of those have been top 10 classes. Swinney and his staff have proven, with the number of players they have sent to the NFL, they can develop players into NFL talent and get guys to the next level. But now, when you throw in the fact, they can win championships, too, it takes it to another level. A lot of people think Clemson has reached this status because of its facilities and stuff. Well that helps, but keep in mind, Clemson did not move into the Allen Reeves Football Complex until January of 2017. By that time, Clemson already won the 2016 national championship and played in the 2015 title game.
“Swinney is the key ingredient. He can relate to the players and their families. If you don't know Dabo Swinney's story and what he and his family went through when he was a child, then look it up. It will give you an understanding on how he can relate with so many of his players. One rival coach told me one time, 'Dabo Swinney is a lot like Bobby Bowden on the recruiting trail, except he is better than Coach Bowden and Coach Bowden was great."
As a media member...how jealous are you of Notre Dame playing road games in Ireland (for now), Bank of America Stadium, Lambeau Field (night), Heinz Field, Mercedes Benz Stadium, and LA Memorial Coliseum?
Vandervort: "Haha! Well, not jealous of Ireland. I am not much for going overseas. So, you can have that one! Bank of America Stadium is Clemson's second home and I plan to see them there in the ACC Championship Game in December. It's a very nice stadium, though. Very underrated, I think. You know how I feel personally about Heinz Field, Go Steelers! Clemson goes there in 2021 to play Pitt. I have my fingers crossed for a rare Steelers home game the next day or at least the Steelers playing in Cleveland or Cincinnati so I can make a weekend of it. We will see!
“Lambeau Field would be cool and the Coliseum because of all the history. Lucky, I will get to see Mercedes-Benz Stadium when Clemson plays Georgia Tech there in 2022, I believe."
How do you or the Clemson media feel about Notre Dame's ACC tie-in?
Vandervort: "I like it. I can't speak for everybody else on the Clemson beat, but I like it. Now, I wish the Irish would just join the conference as a football member, but I understand the business part of it. At least half of their schedule is dedicated to playing their ACC brethren. I like that part of it."
Should Notre Dame join a conference?
Vandervort: "I would like to see it, personally, but right now, they don't need to. They have their own TV deal and they proved just recently they can play as an Independent and still make it to the College Football Playoff. Until that time comes when they can't get into the CFP, even if they go undefeated, then there is no need to join the ACC. That's just the way I see it."
Name three teams you would like to see Clemson schedule instead of The Citadel?Vandervort: "I am not really into all of that, and I understand the fans' point of view. A lot of Clemson fans would love to play someone else. I get that from an entertainment purpose. But if Clemson were to lose that kind of game later in the year, Clemson fans would be saying, 'Why are we playing Georgia when we already play Notre Dame and South Carolina.' The Tigers play at Notre Dame and host archrival South Carolina as out of conference games. Plus, they play their eight conference games and then an ACC Championship Game, more than likely.
“Granted, people feel the ACC is a weak conference, but that isn't Clemson's fault. And I think Clemson has proven to everyone they can beat anyone from any conference. Why schedule a Georgia or Auburn on top of already playing games against two non-conference Power 5 opponents. Few teams in the country, who are in a conference, play a home-and-home series with two non-conference Power 5 foes. Clemson has been doing this since 2008. So, I have no issues with Clemson trying not to commit CFP suicide."
Way too early prediction for the Clemson-Notre Dame game?
Vandervort: "Well, it is too early. I do think Notre Dame is going to be undefeated going into this game. I think Clemson will be, too. So, it should be fun. As for a prediction, I would give Clemson a slight edge right now. But going to Notre Dame and winning a game in November is not going to be easy for the Tigers. It is definitely going to be their toughest game of the season."