Keys to Victory: No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 2 Notre Dame

Each week we give you a look at the game's history, three keys to success, plus Swanny’s prediction.

The Match-Up:

No. 3 Clemson (9-1 overall, 8-1 ACC) vs. No. 2 Notre Dame (10-0, 9-0 ACC)

Clemson vs. Notre Dame 2020

Series History:

Overall: Clemson leads: 3-2
at Clemson: Tied 1-1
at Notre Dame: 2-0
Neutral: Clemson leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 7, 2020 (Notre Dame 47, Clemson 40, 2OT) 
Streak: Notre Dame has won one consecutive meeting

Note: We normally have our Winspedia Graphic here, but the site is down. We hope it’s not gone forever. 

Stat of the Week:

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (33-1 as a starter) entering the game as the winningest starting quarterback in Clemson history and with the best record by an FBS starting quarterback since Division I split in 1978.

Chasing History:

Clemson will attempt to earn a record sixth consecutive outright conference title on Saturday, Dec. 19, when the Tigers face Notre Dame in the ACC Championship Game. Kickoff at Bank of America Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

Even in the most unusual year of college football in the modern era, the ACC Championship Game matchup played true to recent form, matching a traditional Atlantic Division power against a new challenger. While Clemson and Florida State have represented the Atlantic Division every year since 2013, eight different challengers have served as ACC Championship Game opponents in that span. All seven Coastal Division teams earned one appearance between 2013-19, and this season, Notre Dame earned a berth in its first year in the league. Between Clemson and Florida State, Atlantic Division representatives have won nine straight ACC titles, including each of the last five by Clemson.

This week, Clemson will attempt to become the first team in any active conference to win six consecutive titles outright (Note: Oklahoma can also accomplish the feat with a win in the Big 12 Championship Game). Florida State earned at least a share of nine consecutive ACC titles from 1992-2000 but never earned more than three consecutive titles outright. The last team presently in the Power Five to win at least six straight outright titles was Oklahoma (12 from 1948-59) as part of the now-dissolved Big 8 Conference.

Key 1: Mr. Lawrence

The last time these two teams matched up, Clemson was without several key players, including the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Even still, the Fighting Irish needed a late-game 91-yard scoring drive to force overtime against then No. 1 Clemson. So let’s not act like Notre Dame’s 47-40 (2OT) win was a product of a dominating performance from the Irish.

Had Travis Etienne not gifted Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah a fumble return for a score, Ian Book’s late-game heroics wouldn’t have been enough to knock off the Tigers that night.

Minus Lawrence, Clemson’s offense went away from a play that’s been important to their recent success, the RPO. It’s not that freshman D.J. Uiagalelei couldn’t run it, but he was banged up, so Tony Elliott avoided it. In addition, Lawrence’s legs have been a key to Clemson’s postseason success through the years, and there is no reason to believe that will not be the case today, opening up running lanes for Travis Etienne as well.

Key 2: Second Chapter

Ian Book’s first chapter in 2020 against Clemson went about as well as he could have expected. Outside of a fumble heading into the endzone, Book played well against one of America's top defenses.

The Irish got a quick start with Kyren Williams’ 65-yard touchdown run, shocking the Tiger defense. From that point forward, the Tiger defense held Williams in check, but Book’s ability to keep plays alive when the pocket breaks down has been a big key for the Fighting Irish this season.

The Tigers need to contain Book, keeping him from buying time for his wideouts downfield. In the first game, Book managed to break the pocket rushing for 67 yards on 14 attempts. Those types of plays are heartbreaking moments for any defense, and Clemson must avoid that today. 

If the Tigers can do that, it will be tough for Notre Dame to move the chains on several key third downs today.

Key 3: Air ETN

This was a key for us the last time Clemson and Notre Dame faced off, and it will be an even bigger part of the story today, in our opinion. In the last matchup, Etienne rushed for just 28 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown. Etienne did pick up 57 yards on 8 receptions, but we expect that to be a bigger focus today.

As mentioned above, Lawrence should open things up for Etienne, but there is more to it than just running between the tackles, and the Tigers haven’t been great at that all season. 

Clemson should work Etienne in space against Notre Dame’s linebackers more this time around, as that’s a huge advantage for the shifty running back.

Prediction:

In my opinion, there is a reason Clemson was ranked the No. 1 team in America with Trevor Lawrence at quarterback to open the season, and that’s because, at full strength, they are the biggest threat to win a national championship.

While the eyes of college football shifted to Tuscaloosa once Notre Dame upset the Tigers earlier this season, not having Lawrence, James Skalski, Mike Jones Jr., and others was certainly significant. With all of those players back and presumably healthy, I see no reason not to think Clemson wins, and I think they will cover the 10.5 point spread.

Clemson 38, Notre Dame 21

Swanny’s Predictions: