Notre Dame Football: Three Reasons the Irish have a chance against Clemson

By Ben Belden | Dec 17, 2018

ATLANTA, GA - December 6: Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban, Oklahoma Head Coach Lincoln Riley, Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly pose with the National Championship Trophy at the College Football Playoff Semifinal Head Coaches News Conference on December 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass against the USC Trojans during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

2. Notre Dame’s offensive strength is Clemson’s defensive weakness

Since Ian Book has taken over as the quarterback at Notre Dame, the Irish have relied heavily on the short passing game. That passing game has continued to evolve throughout the season, as Book found himself among the nation’s most accurate passers.

While Clemson has a vaunted front seven, if there is a chink in the armor of the Clemson football team, it’s the defensive secondary. Against Texas A&M, Syracuse, Florida State, and South Carolina, Clemson gave in excess of 250 passing yards. Further, the Gamecocks wracked up 510 yards through the air against Clemson’s secondary in Week 12.

Teams that can keep the quarterback clean have had their way with the Clemson secondary. Expect the Irish to do the same.

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