Notre Dame vs Clemson Part 2: Can the Irish Knock Clemson Out of the Playoff Conversation?
Very few people outside of South Bend believe that Notre Dame can beat Clemson again on Saturday. Notre Dame for the most part out-played Clemson back in November, but yet the Irish come into the ACC Championship as a 10-point underdog. Yes, Clemson has Trevor Lawrence back, but Clemson still threw the ball at will last time these two teams played, and the Irish still came out with the win. Having Lawrence back for Clemson is huge, there is no denying that – but the Irish have a defense that can handle him.
Notre Dame has showed this year that this team is different. The Irish have gotten better week after week. The Irish offense is good, but their defense is great and they will need to continue to be great Saturday in the ACC Championship if the Irish want any chance of winning.
I have picked 4 players that will have to have big games if Notre Dame wants to top Clemson again.
- Ian Book – Book has been the reason the Irish offense has been great all year. He is going have to play lights-out if the Irish want a shot at knocking off Clemson again. He has been great at not turning the ball over all year, and that will be key Saturday. The run game should be there for the Irish, but Book needs to get the ball to his playmakers on the outside to keep the Clemson defense at bay.
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Maybe the play of the game the last time these two teams met was made by Jeremiah, when he took a turnover to the house. He will need to be making plays all over the field for the Irish defense like he did last time. He has the speed to keep up with the Clemson skill players, which could be a difference maker.
- Ben Skowronek – The grad senior transferred to Notre Dame for a few reasons, one of which was to play on bigger stage. I would say the ACC Championship is a very big stage, where Skowronek will have to do what he’s been doing all year. Skowronek has been Book’s go-to in the red zone all season and that shouldn’t change Saturday. Look for the sure handed wide out to have a big game.
- Clerence Lewis – One of the biggest takeaways from the playoff game vs Clemson a few years back was the lack of speed in the Irish secondary to keep up with Clemson. Lewis might be a true freshman, but he has proven himself to be the best corner on the Irish defense. His job Saturday is a big one with Lawrence back for Clemson, but Lewis has shown all season that he is up for the task.
I have no doubt the Irish can win this game vs Clemson. Yes, Clemson is one of the best teams the country; but Notre Dame has proven this year that they are too. The Irish showed last time when they played Clemson that they didn’t have to play perfectly to beat the top team. If they cut back on the mistakes they made last time, then I have no doubt they will win. This is the first and last time Notre Dame will play in a conference game so why not go out and win it. Win or lose, it sounds like they are still going to the playoffs…but winning means probably not playing ‘Bama in the semifinal, and if that’s not a reason to win Saturday then I don’t know what is. It has been a great season so far for Notre Dame, look for them to keep that going Saturday.