Why we Can, Could, Potentially, Might Win...

[NotreDame du Lac]

Although Clemson has Etienne, Lawrence, a ferocious D front, better recruiting classes, and they’re better in basically every facet of the game from a statistical standpoint, here are my reasons why ND can win...

• We have no pressure. Underdogs. Throw out the computer models and scrap.
• We only committ an average of 5 penalties per game. That can flip the field quickly over 4 quarters.
• We have turned the ball over only 15 times this season. No turnovers in this game is a difference maker. We are very disciplined.
• We have the best defense Clemson has faced all year. A&M kept Clemson to 27 points and our defense is much better. They also held Clemson to 72 yards rushing.
• We have a more veteran quarterback with only 6 interceptions and one of the best completion ratings in the nation. He has the quick release that could drive that defensive line crazy and is 4th in nation in completion percentage.
• Clemson lost a very key defensive lineman, Notre Dame gained a great defensive lineman off injury reserve.
• A&M tore up Clemson through the air with over 400 yards passing. ND is better offensively than A&M.
• NC State shut down Etienne. We can too. NC State’s secondary is the worst in college football. Ours is elite.
• We have the second best win of all playoff participants beating Michigan without Dex and without Book. Clemson has not faced the likes of Michigan.
• We beat 5 top 50 teams. That takes grit.
• We are a top 10 pass defense with a freshman quarterback for Clemson.
• Our best players like Tranquil are 100%.
• Our kicker is the best. Guaranteed 3 points. Best kicker in history of the program. 3 is key.
• We are smarter and more mature. This might be a stretch but I call it the Patriot effect.
• Julian Love is the all time ND leader in passes broken up. There’s been some good ones. None better.
• Statistically we are close. Clemson is 2nd in scoring defense, we are 9th.
• We are 20th in passing offense, Clemson is 31st.
• Clemson is 5th in scoring offense, we are 34th.
• Clemson is 1st in rushing offense, we are 50th but had 4 games without Dex.
• 3rd down conversions we are 27th, they are 31st.
• However, considering our stronger sos, these stats are way closer than they appear. The success Clemson has had is relative to the opponents they have played. It’s hard to give them a huge bump over ND considering vastly different opponents.

This said, ND will need to make up about 14 points to win even if they play lights out. This can come from penalties, turnovers, trick plays, red zone efficiency, superior coaching, etc. we have to execute better than we have all year. Defense has to crest some chaos and special teams has to play clutch. Book will have to take over and play his best game.

Goal #1 = stop the run.
Goal #2 = start fast.
Goal #3 = create turnovers.
Goal #4 = shake the freshman qb

Shock the world.

 

[Leahylads]

We want Bama!

 

[NDIRISH53]

We want Bama!

Hasn’t anyone learned their lesson from saying this? If ND’s student section or something started chanting this at a game I’d be furious lol

 

[twalsh]

Hasn’t anyone learned their lesson from saying this? If ND’s student section or something started chanting this at a game I’d be furious lol

Vandy did it last year when they were undefeated after 3 or 4 games. Bama beat them something like 56-0 the following week.

 

[TimmyBobby]

Although Clemson has Etienne, Lawrence, a ferocious D front, better recruiting classes, and they’re better in basically every facet of the game from a statistical standpoint, here are my reasons why ND can win...

• We have no pressure. Underdogs. Throw out the computer models and scrap.
• We only committ an average of 5 penalties per game. That can flip the field quickly over 4 quarters.
• We have turned the ball over only 15 times this season. No turnovers in this game is a difference maker. We are very disciplined.
• We have the best defense Clemson has faced all year. A&M kept Clemson to 27 points and our defense is much better. They also held Clemson to 72 yards rushing.
• We have a more veteran quarterback with only 6 interceptions and one of the best completion ratings in the nation. He has the quick release that could drive that defensive line crazy and is 4th in nation in completion percentage.
• Clemson lost a very key defensive lineman, Notre Dame gained a great defensive lineman off injury reserve.
• A&M tore up Clemson through the air with over 400 yards passing. ND is better offensively than A&M.
• NC State shut down Etienne. We can too. NC State’s secondary is the worst in college football. Ours is elite.
• We have the second best win of all playoff participants beating Michigan without Dex and without Book. Clemson has not faced the likes of Michigan.
• We beat 5 top 50 teams. That takes grit.
• We are a top 10 pass defense with a freshman quarterback for Clemson.
• Our best players like Tranquil are 100%.
• Our kicker is the best. Guaranteed 3 points. Best kicker in history of the program. 3 is key.
• We are smarter and more mature. This might be a stretch but I call it the Patriot effect.
• Julian Love is the all time ND leader in passes broken up. There’s been some good ones. None better.
• Statistically we are close. Clemson is 2nd in scoring defense, we are 9th.
• We are 20th in passing offense, Clemson is 31st.
• Clemson is 5th in scoring offense, we are 34th.
• Clemson is 1st in rushing offense, we are 50th but had 4 games without Dex.
• 3rd down conversions we are 27th, they are 31st.
• However, considering our stronger sos, these stats are way closer than they appear. The success Clemson has had is relative to the opponents they have played. It’s hard to give them a huge bump over ND considering vastly different opponents.

This said, ND will need to make up about 14 points to win even if they play lights out. This can come from penalties, turnovers, trick plays, red zone efficiency, superior coaching, etc. we have to execute better than we have all year. Defense has to crest some chaos and special teams has to play clutch. Book will have to take over and play his best game.

Goal #1 = stop the run.
Goal #2 = start fast.
Goal #3 = create turnovers.
Goal #4 = shake the freshman qb

Shock the world.

Biggest takeaway here is the kicker advantage. Our kicking is suspect at best. We are 50/50 on FGs it feels like and our punter would be better off turning around backwards

 

[HDK]

The OP had me feeling hopeful until he got to the part about needing to make up about 14 points.

 

[zro pts4u]

I quit reading after “no pressure to win”.

You’re an idiot and a fake ND fan if you don’t think there’s pressure on ND every single game to win.

 

[zro pts4u]

Biggest takeaway here is the kicker advantage. Our kicking is suspect at best. We are 50/50 on FGs it feels like and our punter would be better off turning around backwards

Hmm, we have an excellent punter and pretty solid FG kicker. Our return defense and return game is pretty average though. We’ve given up at least a few TDs on returns.

 

[88ND]

Although Clemson has Etienne, Lawrence, a ferocious D front, better recruiting classes, and they’re better in basically every facet of the game from a statistical standpoint, here are my reasons why ND can win...

• We have no pressure. Underdogs. Throw out the computer models and scrap.
• We only committ an average of 5 penalties per game. That can flip the field quickly over 4 quarters.
• We have turned the ball over only 15 times this season. No turnovers in this game is a difference maker. We are very disciplined.
• We have the best defense Clemson has faced all year. A&M kept Clemson to 27 points and our defense is much better. They also held Clemson to 72 yards rushing.
• We have a more veteran quarterback with only 6 interceptions and one of the best completion ratings in the nation. He has the quick release that could drive that defensive line crazy and is 4th in nation in completion percentage.
• Clemson lost a very key defensive lineman, Notre Dame gained a great defensive lineman off injury reserve.
• A&M tore up Clemson through the air with over 400 yards passing. ND is better offensively than A&M.
• NC State shut down Etienne. We can too. NC State’s secondary is the worst in college football. Ours is elite.
• We have the second best win of all playoff participants beating Michigan without Dex and without Book. Clemson has not faced the likes of Michigan.
• We beat 5 top 50 teams. That takes grit.
• We are a top 10 pass defense with a freshman quarterback for Clemson.
• Our best players like Tranquil are 100%.
• Our kicker is the best. Guaranteed 3 points. Best kicker in history of the program. 3 is key.
• We are smarter and more mature. This might be a stretch but I call it the Patriot effect.
• Julian Love is the all time ND leader in passes broken up. There’s been some good ones. None better.
• Statistically we are close. Clemson is 2nd in scoring defense, we are 9th.
• We are 20th in passing offense, Clemson is 31st.
• Clemson is 5th in scoring offense, we are 34th.
• Clemson is 1st in rushing offense, we are 50th but had 4 games without Dex.
• 3rd down conversions we are 27th, they are 31st.
• However, considering our stronger sos, these stats are way closer than they appear. The success Clemson has had is relative to the opponents they have played. It’s hard to give them a huge bump over ND considering vastly different opponents.

This said, ND will need to make up about 14 points to win even if they play lights out. This can come from penalties, turnovers, trick plays, red zone efficiency, superior coaching, etc. we have to execute better than we have all year. Defense has to crest some chaos and special teams has to play clutch. Book will have to take over and play his best game.

Goal #1 = stop the run.
Goal #2 = start fast.
Goal #3 = create turnovers.
Goal #4 = shake the freshman qb

Shock the world.

• We have no pressure. Underdogs. Throw out the computer models and scrap.
• Wrong. Big pressure as not to have a repeat of 12 or 15 fiesta.
• We only committ an average of 5 penalties per game. That can flip the field quickly over 4 quarters.
• Agreed
• We have turned the ball over only 15 times this season. No turnovers in this game is a difference maker. We are very disciplined.
• Hope laws of averages don't kick in and all our fumbles come at once
• We have the best defense Clemson has faced all year. A&M kept Clemson to 27 points and our defense is much better. They also held Clemson to 72 yards rushing.
• This is the most paramount segment of the game. Contain Etienne
• We have a more veteran quarterback with only 6 interceptions and one of the best completion ratings in the nation. He has the quick release that could drive that defensive line crazy and is 4th in nation in completion percentage.
• Not really. There isn't much difference in the number of starts between the two.
• Clemson lost a very key defensive lineman, Notre Dame gained a great defensive lineman off injury reserve.
• Clemson dline is still mighty but we are equally as good. IMO the best dline in the country.
• A&M tore up Clemson through the air with over 400 yards passing. ND is better offensively than A&M.
• That was ages ago.
• NC State shut down Etienne. We can too. NC State’s secondary is the worst in college football. Ours is elite.
• We have the second best win of all playoff participants beating Michigan without Dex and without Book. Clemson has not faced the likes of Michigan.
• True
• We beat 5 top 50 teams. That takes grit.
• We are a top 10 pass defense with a freshman quarterback for Clemson.
• They are a good defense and our QB is just as green.
• Our best players like Tranquil are 100%.
• So are theirs
• Our kicker is the best. Guaranteed 3 points. Best kicker in history of the program. 3 is key.
• Our special teams suck
• We are smarter and more mature. This might be a stretch but I call it the Patriot effect.
• They've been there. That's a wash.
• Julian Love is the all time ND leader in passes broken up. There’s been some good ones. None better.
• I'd differ but he's good.
• Statistically we are close. Clemson is 2nd in scoring defense, we are 9th.
• We are 20th in passing offense, Clemson is 31st.
• Clemson is 5th in scoring offense, we are 34th.
• Clemson is 1st in rushing offense, we are 50th but had 4 games without Dex.
• 3rd down conversions we are 27th, they are 31st.
• However, considering our stronger sos, these stats are way closer than they appear. The success Clemson has had is relative to the opponents they have played. It’s hard to give them a huge bump over ND considering vastly different opponents

Playing devils advocate a bit.

I do believe we'll win this game...a little easier than anyone is giving us credit for too.

ND vs OU in San Francisco brotha

 

[zro pts4u]

ND has the most pressure out of every team in the play off. We’ve always been a team most people like to see lose, but in the past 25 years we have been the team that can never win the big one. We are becoming the Cubs and Red Sox of CFB

 

[HDK]

ND has the most pressure out of every team in the play off. We’ve always been a team most people like to see lose, but in the past 25 years we have been the team that can never win the big one. We are becoming the Cubs and Red Sox of CFB

Well, if you look it that way, think of how special it will be in 75 years when we win another title.

 

[NDIRISH53]

Vandy did it last year when they were undefeated after 3 or 4 games. Bama beat them something like 56-0 the following week.

That was hilarious