I guess I don't see what Clemson has done this year to make them head and shoulders better than ND. If I had to bet any amount of money I would put it on Clemson but I think ND can beat them.

I guess I don't see what Clemson has done this year to make them head and shoulders better than ND.

 

I agree with you, as I said above, I think Clemson wins a very competitive game by 10 points.

 

However, in looking at a tale-of-the-tape of these two teams using a more computer-based model, here is how they stack up (and why some may be over-reaching [in my opinion] and thinking it is a boat-race):

 

I. Clemson: #1 defense, #4 offense. 5 wins against "top 40" teams, 3 on the road, with an average margin of victory of 21 points.

 

II. Notre Dame: #11 defense, #19 offense. 3 wins against "top 40" teams, none on the road (one neutral vs Syracuse), with an average margin of victory of 20 points.

 

I think it will prove to be a very competitive game with Clemson's speed and d-line ultimately separating them by 10 points.

My reasoning for picking Clemson by a large margin is Clemson's front 7 on D are as good, better than anyone. I don't think that ND will be able to sustain long, time consuming drives against the Clemson defense that imo it would take to beat Clemson.