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: Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after recovering the fumble by Amon-Ra St. Brown #8 of the USC Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

3. Notre Dame has a championship level defense

When Clemson’s offense is at its best, it is the result of a high-powered rushing attack that features running back Travis Etienne. The sophomore running back wracked up 1464 yards on the ground this season on an astounding 8.3 yards per carry. He is probably the best back Notre Dame will face this season.

However, the Notre Dame defense has been stout against the rush this season. On the season, the Notre Dame defense has given up more than 4 yards per carry just twice–once against Wake Forest (4.2 yards per carry) and once against Navy (6.1 yards per carry).

dark. Next. What would playoff expansion mean for Notre Dame?

In short, the Irish have the ability to slow down the Clemson offense by leaning on a championship-level defense.

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