#19
"Wait, you determined all that by watching one game?"
Determined what? I made some observations from Clemson's most recent game, against one of its stronger opponents. That was just to get a feel for their athletes. I stopped watching when the game was no longer competitive and Dabo subbed out. I also researched their stats and had seen some of the Syracuse game (as I feared for Clemson to win ACC bet).
Oh, so you stopped watching after the first 13 seconds becasue that's when it was over.
"I think he is averaging playing 65 players a game. Can anyone else in America state that.?"
Probably not - I think the point has already been made that Clemson played a puff schedule, but that does not bode well for when you finally do step up in competition.
Not anymore cream puff than ND's. You beat a Michigan team with their top D the first week of the season. Not sure it was a huge win considering they got 62 dropped on them the last week of the year.
"That is the reason you see wild runs like you did becasue its against, third and fourth stringers"
Wrong. In the First Q against the First Stringers, in the span of five plays - Pitt had runs for 16, 20 and 21. This is a Team that had no passing threat - 8 yards total passing for the game!! Obviously the RB got to the second level -- the reason I was licking my chops is that Dexter Williams usually takes it to the house when he gets to that level the Pitt RB achieved.
Ok gave up some long runs but, still held them below their season average. Not worried about Dexter Williams as Trayveon Williams and AJ Dillon were both shut down. I'd be very surprised if ND runs on Clemson.
"As far as a Freshman QB on the big stage, Tua and Fromm say hello."
ND did fine against Fromm last year ... As for Tua's first competitive start against a good defense, when the Team has been yawning through blow-outs all year (like Clemson) ... 10-25, 2 INTs and QBR of 15 (which btw is why I don't see how he can win the Heisman).
I don't doubt that TL is talented and has a strong arm, but he has not been tested. Clearly. And the thing that stuck out for me was his inability to convert 3rd and 4th downs passing (1-8), which was when the D was expecting pass. When your team rushes for 300+ yards, and so you can make throws in the early downs without much of a pass rush, and still only go 50% for 118 yards ... let's just say it's encouraging for a Notre Dame fan.
You cited a small example there. Let's compare the two teams on third conversion rates on O&D.
ND on O is 27th in the nation on converting third downs and Clemson is 4 spots behind them.
ND on D is not in the top 50 on stopping third down conversions and Clemson is 7th. I think ND should be very worried here.
"Let's flip this, what team has Ian Book faced better than what he'll see vs Clemson? "
Between TL and Book - Book has Bowl experience against LSU last year - won the game against a strong D. He also suffered through Miami's defense in Miami last year - has that experience under his belt.
But hey ... all I am doing is questioning whether Clemson laying double digits to Notre Dame is a Lock? The opening line simply fits the Sagarin numbers, but those numbers include games before ND's best QB and best RB were playing.
So ... I'll stick with my original conclusion ... "Lock of Year - eh? "
Maybe you should stick with original conclusion as well ... "Just my opinion, I could be wrong and have been in the past."
BTW - I think making Clemson double digit favorites just puts more pressure on the freshman (he's going to get enough pressure from the ND Defense), and I think it supplies a motivational edge for the Irish.
Ok I just think ND will get burnt doing that but, obviously you want to test the the Freshman. That's why this Clemson team is very hard to beat. If you stop the run, TL will light you up. If you play 7 in the box, ETN will run roughshod over you. Pick your poison. Add all that offensive firepower up along with a top D, and you get a 17+ win.
But we'll see ...