ND "could have" been up 10-0 quite easily to start the game, and then also screwed themselves on the missed connection to Avery Davis that left another 3-7 point on the field. For those three drives, ND played successful football but a lack of execution meant no points. Then Clemson made some adjustments and here are the next five drives while Clemson pulled away:
3 plays, -3 yards
4 plays, 16 yards
3 plays, -11 yards
5 plays, 12 yards
4 plays, 25 yards
Brent Venables did to Tommy Rees what Clark Lea did to UNC a couple weeks back. And that's not really all that surprising when you have the best in the business against a 1st year OC.
Clemson finished the game with 6 "successful" drives (i.e. moved the ball successfully down the field into scoring range where you'd expect to get points) to Notre Dame's 4. You'd expect a 1-2 score victory for Clemson, instead it was a total blowout. Why? One team has explosive playmakers that scored 3 TDs of 30+ yards and the other does not. One team makes you defend the entire field, the other does not. There was a large talent difference between the two sides at the skill positions but ND was capable of competing in that game they just didn't execute.