Paw Predictions: No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 2 Notre Dame
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No. 3 Clemson looks to avenge their only loss of the regular season when they take on No. 2 Notre Dame, in what is the highest stakes game of the weekend. You can see how the national media is viewing this game below.
Game Previews:
Clemson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9on8fnd9KsA
Notre Dame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwR3SC9XFMs
247 Sports, 31-24 Clemson/35-24 Clemson
What they said:
Hummer: I don’t really understand this line, which means I’ll probably be wrong and Vegas will laugh at me again. But I’ll happily take Notre Dame to cover. Clemson, talented as it is, is a flawed contender. The interior of its o-line has issues, the middle of its defense is banged up and its receivers don’t always separate. Notre Dame is not without its issues as well. But I’d be shocked if this isn’t a close game. I just like Clemson to win the rematch. … Clemson 31, Notre Dame 24.
Crawford: I'm taking the Clemson cover not because I think it's going to be a blowout, but something tells me oddsmakers know more about this game than the analysts do. So this is strictly a line play (how can it be 10.5!?) and it wouldn't surprise me if Notre Dame wins outright. There's been scuttlebutt about Clemson making the final four even with a second loss to the Irish. That's not going to happen. ... Clemson 35, Notre Dame 24.
The Athletic, 34-27 Clemson/31-27 Clemson
What they said:
Bruce Feldman- Trevor Lawrence gets a crack at the Irish, and it’s asking a lot to beat Clemson twice in a year. The feeling here is that Brent Venables will have a few more wrinkles and a little healthier D this time around to challenge Notre Dame. Clemson 34, Notre Dame 27
Stewart Mandel- The Irish are too talented, too mature and too confident to lose this game by double-digits. But at the end of the day, even without Trevor Lawrence, James Skalski and other key defenders, Clemson took this team to double overtime on the road last time. I can’t pick against full-strength Clemson in the rematch. Clemson 31, Notre Dame 27
What they said:
Not only should this be the game of the day, the outcome is going to loom large in shaping the CFB Playoff. A Clemson victory would give the ACC two teams in the four-team playoff. However, if Notre Dame emerges with a win, the Tigers would likely be out, opening the door for Texas A&M and the Big 12 champion pending what happens on Saturday. Clemson has won its last three ACC title games by a combined score of 142-30. However, a blowout victory on Saturday would be surprising. If the Fighting Irish win again in the trenches, and Travis Etienne is held in check, coach Brian Kelly's squad can go 2-0 against the Tigers this year. However, the guess here is a healthier defense, along with the return of Trevor Lawrence, should help Dabo Swinney's team avenge their loss in South Bend and clinch a trip to the CFB Playoff.
Bleacher Report, 31-24 Clemson
What they said:
On Nov. 7, Notre Dame clipped Clemson 47-40 in double overtime. But the Fighting Irish are preparing for a far healthier team, and it's not simply Trevor Lawrence. The Tigers didn't have defensive tackle Tyler Davis or linebackers Mike Jones Jr. and James Skalski in that contest. It's no surprise Notre Dame rushed for 208 yards. Those players, plus the loss of Notre Dame center Jarrett Patterson (foot surgery), will be the keys to Clemson's flipping the result.
What they said:
This line is just rude to Notre Dame, a team that has been playing at a high level on a week-in, week-out basis for nearly the entire season. The Fighting Irish were 5.5-point underdogs when they won in South Bend, Indiana, earlier this year and now find themselves as double-digit dogs in the rematch? Red zone defense is a great way to cover spreads, so while I do think Clemson wins, it won't be by more than a touchdown. Pick: Notre Dame +10.5
College Football News, 36-24 Clemson
What they said:
Five in a row and six times since 2011. Clemson doesn’t just win ACC Championships, but it does it brutal fashion.
The 2015 45-37 win over North Carolina was a ton of fun, and the 42-35 win over Virginia Tech in 2016 was a fight, but it won the last three by a combined score of 142-30, or an averaged of 47-10.
It won’t be that bad.
Notre Dame really is that good. The style, the lines, the experience, the – sorry, I despise this word, but – physicality, and the chip on the shoulder will matter. This isn’t 2019 Virginia, 2018 Pitt, or 2017 Miami – the 2020 Irish could absolutely win this.
This will be a fight through the first half, there will be points when it looks like Notre Dame really will win, and then Trevor Lawrence will be Trevor Lawrence.
Clemson still won’t be able to run the ball, but the defensive front will have a stronger game than the first time around. Notre Dame toughed its way to over 200 yards on the ground – it was the only time all year the Tigers allowed more than 150.
The Clemson defensive front will show up, especially on a few late drives to close it out and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Forget the final score – the Irish will look good enough to get the No. 4 spot.
What they said:
Notre Dame scores first again on a Williams touchdown, but Clemson counters with a quick-strike passing game. The Tigers averaged 15.1 yards per catch in the first meeting. Lawrence hits two touchdown passes in the first half, and Etienne stakes Clemson out to a two-score lead in the third quarter. Book rallies the Irish. It's not enough to win the ACC championship, but it does secure a Playoff berth for Notre Dame, too. It's the best-case scenario for the ACC.
What they said:
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney deserves all the praise and money he earns, but Notre Dame has more active NFL players than the Tigers. There’s too much value on a Fighting Irish team that’s been an NFL factory since head coach Brian Kelly took over the program.
I am expecting this one to come down to the wire again, with Clemson prevailing this time, possibly setting up a third showdown in the College Football Playoff.