Key points for Clemson that will make it a tough win

[justacollegefan]

I see a lot of people talking about the Clemson game but nobody is talking about the following facts.

1. First, very hard stadium to pull out a win and only our second road game this season.
   
2. Second, this is the first road start for Kizer which I think is huge, especially playing at a tough spot and against a strong team.
3. Third, Clemson has had 2 weeks to prepare.
   
4. Fourth, our secondary and pass rush continues to struggle... our front 7 needs to shut down their run game and somehow find a way to get the QB to help out the secondary.

I love how our team is playing overall this year but it is so hard to even tell what we have. Clemson has 3 wins which is 1 less than all four teams we have played this year. I think the offense will be able to score on any team we play but we have to continue to get big games from CJ and Kizer still needs improvement, though I am happy overall with his progress. The big question will still come on the defensive side because if we can't put up 30+ in every game then we will probably lose.

Oh well, going to be a tough stretch with our remaining teams having a record of 22-6. I am hoping we can survive a 34-31 game at Clemson but I have a feeling we may lose this one. Either way I never expected a perfect season so I just hope they continue to show progress and play strong, can't ask for more.

Let's hope for the best!

 

[perseverare]

I think points 1-4 are very valid.
This will be the 1st game I expect real adversity for DK. I think Fuller is shadowed by MAack / doubled often. The ND TE will be important for ND.

 

[HDK]

I too agree it will be a very difficult environment. Just because he has two games under his belt as starter does not make Kizer experienced. It will be crazy loud and this will be the best team we've faced this season. I don't expect ND to be able to run that well early on, and I think if Kelly is not patient with that, it could be trouble. Kizer has had some forced throws and some balls in the dirt. I don't want to see us in third and longs.

 

[TurnpikeMike]

We need for our DL to put pressure on Watson without our LBs blitzing. If we can do that and keep our LBs in pass protection, we should be ok.

 

[tkirish]

Games like this are why you come to Notre Dame. There is a scene in the movie Hoosiers where the championship is played in a large arena. The day before the game, the players check out the arena and are in awe by its size. Gene Hackman instructs one of the players to get a tape measure and measure the rim to the floor. 10 feet was the response by the player. With the team all looking,Hackman says you'll find that the rim in our home gym is the same exact distance. All the players smile. Regardless of the enviorment, the game will be played on the field the same type of field in Notre Dame Stadium. I really like this team. They have a SWAG I haven't seen since 1993. They have the talent to go with it. I think it will be a battle but the Irish will find a way to win.

 

[HRC08]

I too agree it will be a very difficult environment. Just because he has two games under his belt as starter does not make Kizer experienced. It will be crazy loud and this will be the best team we've faced this season. I don't expect ND to be able to run that well early on, and I think if Kelly is not patient with that, it could be trouble. Kizer has had some forced throws and some balls in the dirt. I don't want to see us in third and longs.

Well..... running into a stacked box might have ND in third and longs.

 

[perseverare]

If Clemson stacks the box, DK and the ND WR's will have a field day! Fuller will be dbled but the others will be in 1:1 coverage which is advantage ND.

 

[HRC08]

If Clemson stacks the box, DK and the ND WR's will have a field day! Fuller will be dbled but the others will be in 1:1 coverage which is advantage ND.

Right... but only if ND takes advantage.

 

[Pennick4]

I see a lot of people talking about the Clemson game but nobody is talking about the following facts.

1. First, very hard stadium to pull out a win and only our second road game this season.
   
2. Second, this is the first road start for Kizer which I think is huge, especially playing at a tough spot and against a strong team.
3. Third, Clemson has had 2 weeks to prepare.
   
4. Fourth, our secondary and pass rush continues to struggle... our front 7 needs to shut down their run game and somehow find a way to get the QB to help out the secondary.

I love how our team is playing overall this year but it is so hard to even tell what we have. Clemson has 3 wins which is 1 less than all four teams we have played this year. I think the offense will be able to score on any team we play but we have to continue to get big games from CJ and Kizer still needs improvement, though I am happy overall with his progress. The big question will still come on the defensive side because if we can't put up 30+ in every game then we will probably lose.

Oh well, going to be a tough stretch with our remaining teams having a record of 22-6. I am hoping we can survive a 34-31 game at Clemson but I have a feeling we may lose this one. Either way I never expected a perfect season so I just hope they continue to show progress and play strong, can't ask for more.

Let's hope for the best!

Not sure having 2 weeks to prepare is going to help them much. It is more likely to make them not ready to compete from the opening kick. The bye is much more valuable later on in the season. They haven't played anyone with ND's brawn and speed.

 

[DWQB]

Not sure having 2 weeks to prepare is going to help them much. It is more likely to make them not ready to compete from the opening kick. The bye is much more valuable later on in the season. They haven't played anyone with ND's brawn and speed.

They one thing I know for sure is the Tigers will be ready.

 

[Pennick4]

Tough first 2 games for Clemson. Were they tackle or 2 hand touch?

 

[DWQB]

Tough first 2 games for Clemson. Were they tackle or 2 hand touch?

And just who has ND played.
Oh yea it took a last second TD to beat UVA

 

[FightingIrish44]

They one thing I know for sure is the Tigers will be ready.

You know this how?

 

[schadenfreude]

Not sure having 2 weeks to prepare is going to help them much. It is more likely to make them not ready to compete from the opening kick. The bye is much more valuable later on in the season. They haven't played anyone with ND's brawn and speed.

Clemson has done fairly well in bowl games recently. I think having this extra time will help the Tigers.

 

[schadenfreude]

And just who has ND played.
Oh yea it took a last second TD to beat UVA

If you want to play that way, ND blew out Texas who lost by one point to ranked Oklahoma State.

 

[Izo]

Clemson will definitely stack the box against up the middle and will certainlly try to stop the end sweeps . And the wide receiver screens . Clemson has the players to defend . A Clemson strategy to force Kizer to pass ? Kizer is still learning .

I remember the comments made by the Alabama players after they routed us .They knew everything we were going to do offensively .Shut us down . Don't want Clemson players to mimic Alabama 's line . A big positive ,we do have a very good offensive line hoping they can open holes


Just wonder Kelly's approach

 

[HRC08]

Clemson will definitely stack the box against up the middle and will certainlly try to stop the end sweeps . And the wide receiver screens . Clemson has the players to defend . A Clemson strategy to force Kizer to pass ? Kizer is still learning .

I remember the comments made by the Alabama players after they routed us .They knew everything we were going to do offensively .Shut us down . Don't want Clemson players to mimic Alabama 's line . A big positive ,we do have a very good offensive line hoping they can open holes


Just wonder Kelly's approach

Every team knows what every team is going to do. It's actually stopping them that matters. Bama was able to stop ND and thus it made their comments ring more true but what they said isn't earth shattering. It's football, the coaches and players each have been involved in it for decades so, yeah... they all probably know what the other team is going to do.

 

[FightingIrish44]

Every team knows what every team is going to do. It's actually stopping them that matters. Bama was able to stop ND and thus it made their comments ring more true but what they said isn't earth shattering. It's football, the coaches and players each have been involved in it for decades so, yeah... they all probably know what the other team is going to do.

Well said. Its a meaningless comment that the winning team gets to make. Also, you still don't actually KNOW what the other team is going to do.

 

[HDK]

Well said. Its a meaningless comment that the winning team gets to make. Also, you still don't actually KNOW what the other team is going to do.

I don't know how meaningless it is, as it has been said about ND several times in the past 20 years after we have been beaten badly in bowl games. I remember Oregon State players saying it after they blew us when Davie was our coach, and Ohio State saying it too.

 

[FightingIrish44]

I don't know how meaningless it is, as it has been said about ND several times in the past 20 years after we have been beaten badly in bowl games. I remember Oregon State players saying it after they blew us when Davie was our coach, and Ohio State saying it too.

Coaches watch a bunch of previous games from an upcoming opponent. They then "know" (you never actually know for certain) what the other team is doing. Still doesn't mean they will come close to winning because the game comes down to execution. Having some punk from USC say he knew what ND was going to do means nothing when he's playing on a team that's vastly more talented and better coached.

Notre Dame "knew" what Navy was going to do in 2010. How did that work out? I'm sure UMass had a good idea of what ND was going to do. How did that work out?

Football is actually a pretty simple game. The players are given rules that tell them what their alignment and assignment is. You almost don't even need to know what the other team is doing because, theoretically, alignment and assignment should take care of everything. The game just comes down to execution at that point.

 

[aundelr]

the key to this game will be clemson dline which is not deep. Chris Brown will play the best game of his life watch

 

[camcgee]

the key to this game will be clemson dline which is not deep. Chris Brown will play the best game of his life watch

The Clemson DL is pretty deep up the middle, but not at DE. Where depth is a real issue is LB. So if it's a really close game and ND continues to try to pound it with running plays, you could see depth start to become an issue. But if ND goes to the pass too often, I think Clemson has a decided advantage.

 

[aundelr]

i think we can win the game on d with our dline but we need to play more bodies will better the pash rush

 

[Toby Smart]

I was listening to the Clemson radio guy being interviewed and it was all but crystal clear by his analysis that ND should not show up and just award the "W" to Clemson. I've heard this song and dance before (FSU and GT). In all fairness, I think our radio guy should be asked for his analysis, but then I got to thinking that our guy may not even be aware who the Irish are playing. So, let's just leave it at that. I do believe that Clemson will be much faster than anyone the lads have encountered so far this season, BUT, ND has played in these mega huge type games before. I am hoping the team leadership and chemistry will calm the youngsters down. This is why you come to ND, to play in these type games. The Irish absolutely positively cannot afford a slow start.