NFLBy: Greg Rector
Dabo SwInney’s Clemson Tigers have lost four straight ACC games and now they must face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at home for the second time this season the once mighty Clemson Tigers 4-4 are underdogs as the Fighting Irish come to town with a 7-2 record. This doesn’t hurt my feelings one iota. I have never been a big fan of Swinney and this game will be sweet music to my old eyes and my ears as “The Victory March“ will be played often. Hopefully as often as we heard the Victory March was played against Pittsburgh after they were manhandled by Notre Dame 58-7.
Notre Dame Defense
This Notre Dame defense has played so well in their last two games and that trend must continue against Clemson. Xavier Woods (6 interceptions which leads the nation) has been spectacular and if the Fighting Irish get Brendan Morrison back for this game I don’t see the Fighting Irish losing to this Clemson offense. One can’t say enough good things about the way Howard Cross III has played as an undersized DT he’s one of the best in the country at quarterback pressures and then add in Rylie Mills and the interior of the Fighting Irish defense has two of the top 5 defensive tackles creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Clemson’s quarterback Cade Klubnik has had issues all season long and if the Fighting Irish defense plays the way they have lately this will be a long afternoon for the sophomore quarterback of the Clemson Tigers. Klubnik has been damaged by turnovers all season long and when Notre Dame plays the way they have the last two weeks they should cause at least three turnovers.
Notre Dame must pound this weak Clemson Tigers offense into submission early and often.
Notre Dame Offense
Sam Hartman ( 18/25 288 yards 2 interceptions) wasn’t spectacular against Pitt and all he has to do against the Clemson Tigers is hand the ball off to Audric Estime and watch the big running back do his damage. The offensive line is going to open up holes for Estime and his other cohorts in the backfield.
Hartman understands he doesn’t need to be perfect and offensive coordinator Gerard Parker finally understands that all of his receivers need to touch the football. Hartman and backup QB Steve Angelli had 12 different receivers with catches against the Pitt Panthers. It’s about damn time that he had used everyone in the receiving game.
This game is important for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish especially if Hartman’s favorite receiver TE Mitchell Evans misses this game. Evans hurt his knee in the third quarter of the game. Evans has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Sam Hartman needs a new number-one receiver,
My Prediction
Notre Dame can pound Clemson and do so the same way they handled USC and Pitt. Use their defense and give Hartman and the offense short fields. Cade Klubnik is being disservice by his head coach Dabo Swinney who has been terrible since Brett Venables left for the head coaching gig at Oklahoma. His refusal to use the transfer portal looks like a wise decision right Coach Swinney?
I can’t stomach his sanctimonious rhetoric and Notre Dame will beat Clemson on Saturday afternoon hopefully by a score of 42 to 10.
As always you can find me on X @GregCowboys
