This should be an old-fashioned slobber-knocker with two run-heavy teams going at each other. The teams seem very similar in scheme and this game will come down to which defensive front four can hold up.
* When we're on offense, we should be able to run the ball fairly well against their slightly undersized D-line, which seems just right for our RBs to pound the domers between the tackles. Advantage Clemson
* When we're on offense, we should be able to have some passing success against their back 7 with delayed throws to the RB or TEs and even slants and crossing routes to the WRs, because their D-line is not particularly stout and they will have to commit their LBs to stop our running game - which will open up space behind them for the short-to-mid passing game. Advantage Clemson
* When ND is on offense, they will try to run the ball because (like us) they have three good RBs and have had some success doing it this year - and their QB has issues, which necessitates more of a run game. He's not a big scrambler and their LT is a sophomore, so I expect our front four to get to the QB fairly often. We will absolutely need to handle their run game with our front four and not blitz too much, because if we do, they will burn us with the delayed routes to the TEs and RBs. I think we can handle their rush with our front. Advantage Clemson
* When ND is on offense they will have some of the same troubles we've had this season - lack of down-field receptions. If we can't handle their front four, they will try to move the ball by throwing out routes, flares and seam routes to the RBs and TEs. If we keep our LBs at home, they should be fast enough and big enough to have better success than ND LBs will have against our TEs and RBs. Advantage Clemson
* The last question to me is special teams. BT Potter is the edge. Advantage Clemson