National picks: Notre Dame vs. No. 4 Clemson score predictions
The BlueandGold.com staff made its picks for the Notre Dame (5-3) vs. No. 4 Clemson (8-0, 6-0 ACC) Saturday night. Several national outlets have done the same. Here’s a look at several national predictions for what will happen when the Irish and Tigers take the field (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
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Bruce Feldman, The Athletic: Clemson 27, Notre Dame 17
Feldman says: “The Irish haven’t allowed more than 24 points in a game since September and they’re coming off a nice win at Syracuse. But the Tigers defense has been nasty, especially against the run, and I think they’ll bottle up Notre Dame.”
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic: Clemson 24, Notre Dame 16
Mandel says: “After bottoming out in a 16-14 home loss to a bad Stanford team, Notre Dame has come to life with a 44-21 win over UNLV and a 41-24 win at then-No. 16 Syracuse. But the Irish offense is still limited – it’s the running backs and tight end Michael Mayer. That’s a tough way to win against a talented defense like Clemson’s.”
ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt: Notre Dame (+3.5)
Van Pelt says: “We’re almost done and we can stand back and look at our work. But a couple more for kicks. Notre Dame won for us last week in Syracuse. Can a team that lost on its home field to Marshall and Stanford really beat Clemson? Don’t have to beat them — just stay within three and we’re all laughing.”
Jon Kinne, Athlon Sports: Clemson 24, Notre Dame 13
Kinne says: “The Clemson defense has some holes. The problem for Notre Dame is that it may not have the capability to exploit those flaws. Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis was a huge factor in the run game a few weeks ago, and other teams have hurt the Tigers with passes downfield. Those are not two areas where Pyne excels.
“Clemson knows ND wants to use its offensive line to move the ball on the ground, but without a true quarterback threat, the Tigers will be ready and waiting. Offensively, Clemson has been solid though not explosive this fall. That should continue again and though a very good Irish defense will test the Tigers, the visitors will score enough to grab a victory and improve to 9-0.”
Max Escarpio, Bleacher Report: Notre Dame 32, Clemson 26
Escarpio says: “Clemson is fresh off a bye week headed to South Bend to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who have finally found some life. Notre Dame has back-to-back wins, defeating Syracuse and UNLV. This would’ve been a more favorable matchup for ND if the Tigers didn’t have two weeks to get back to the drawing board. Clemson has had two close bouts against Syracuse and Florida State in their last two games.
“The Tigers are more vulnerable to an upset than their Top Five ranking would seem. With Notre Dame’s offense hitting over 40 points in two straight games, the Fighting Irish may have found the key to saving their season. They will continue their hot streak and defeat the Tigers at home.”
