Notre Dame Football: Three Reasons the Irish have a chance against Clemson
By Ben Belden
![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) 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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cb1b8050b6e9266cbf90f5cb900697a5871685cbed36e5e0a389c51483d3ef6c.jpg)
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.