Week 5 Prediction Poll (ND @ Clemson)

[gkIrish]

Votes are public. Spread is Clemson -2.

Go Irish.

 

[ThePiombino]

ND pulls away in the 3rd, Clemson keeps it respectable.

31-21 ND

 

[ickythump1225]

I will keep with not predicting a score since that seems to be working out. I don't know a whole lot about Clemson, but I know for most of the past half decade or so they have made their living with an explosive offense, but that offense doesn't seem as explosive this year. I think our front seven can shut them down running but our secondary is going to need to step up.

Their defense seems okay, but nothing special. On offense it will be key for us to run the ball, I think our offensive line should be able to overpower their defensive line.

Like I mentioned in another thread, these are the kind of games where BK likes to take some risks and throw some wrinkles in. At Oklahoma we had the deep ball and last year against FSU I believe we went for it on a 4th and 1 early on the in the game. BK gets aggressive on the road against good teams and I don't expect that to stop this time around either.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

My prediction:

Clemson is about to go on a four-game losing streak. All the haters will be out to claim ND beat an overrated Clemson team, therefore ND is overrated.

ND 31, Clemson 24.

Go Irish.

 

[FLDomer]

I think Clemson's inexperienced defense allows us to control the game (especially in the trenches) but breakdowns in our secondary give us a scare.
31-27 ND

 

[GoldenDomer]

31-21 ND

 

[Irish YJ]

I think ND wins by 6, and it comes down to the last drive for the win (either O score, or D stand).

Predicting DK makes some mistakes, but our TEs have a good game along with lots of running. I think our OL dominates, but their DEs get some shots on our QB. BW runs two TDs in RZ packages. Our D must take advantage of their OL woes and get pressure on Watson if we are to win. Predicting 1 or 2 Watson INTs. Coming out party for KVR.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think Kizer struggles. Clemson will load the box and force throws to the intermediate outside, where he has short hopped more than a few thus far. For as good as the O-line is, this will be one of the more athletic fronts ND faces this season and ND will barely eclipse 150 rushing yards. On D, our safety play will cost us once or twice and Clemson targets Schmidt in both the running and passing game and the defense has a look similar to Virginia. Too many mistakes in the first half cost ND in the end and their 4th quarter rally falls short. Clemson by 6.

 

[dublinirish]

I think ND rolls this one. ND has a deep well emotionally to draw from and Clemson has been known to be mentally brittle when the spotlight is on them. Irish by 2 scores.

 

[JughedJones]

I think ND wins by 6, and it comes down to the last drive for the win (either O score, or D stand).

Predicting DK makes some mistakes, but our TEs have a good game along with lots of running. I think our OL dominates, but their DEs get some shots on our QB. BW runs two TDs in RZ packages. Our D must take advantage of their OL woes and get pressure on Watson if we are to win. Predicting 1 or 2 Watson INTs. Coming out party for KVR.

I think we win by 18+ or lose in a smoking crater.

18.5? -25?


I really don't see how folks can predict a close game. Athletes on one side are going to dominate the other.


It's not going to be close.

 

[irish4ever]

Concerned about our secondary for one ... not playing consistently. Clemson will load the box, so hopefully DK will be throwing well. Also concerned that ND will be able to "weather the storm" (Clemson crowd) initially. If the Irish succeed against these points, I feel a 3 pt. exciting win by the Irish.

 

[koonja]

I can see us struggling to move the ball if Kizer doesn't improve, but also can see our defense doing well against this team.

This will be a really good warm up for USC. Clemson, like USC, has a very athletic defense, but potentially we maybe able to run well on both. Offense is loaded with skill players, just like USC. Nice thing about USC is they don't have a dual threat QB, so if we play well against this Clemson team, I'm going to feel pretty good about USC.

 

[koonja]

Has it been confirmed where Gameday will be? SIAP.

 

[gkIrish]

I think we win by 18+ or lose in a smoking crater.

18.5? -25?


I really don't see how folks can predict a close game. Athletes on one side are going to dominate the other.


It's not going to be close.

I agree with this. I see a 2 touchdown game.

 

[gkIrish]

Has it been confirmed where Gameday will be? SIAP.

@ Clemson. Get hype.

 

[phgreek]

Notre Dame 30-28

 

[IrishinTN]

I can see the Irish butting heads and a close game through the first half but end up winning by ten 34-24.

 

[mick2]

I think it will be important to start fast and take the clemson crowd out of the game. It's going to be a hostile environment, and I worry that a slow start a la umass will be tough to overcome.

predicting a close one here 34-31 or so. but would love to be wrong and win in a rout

 

[dang227]

Worried about Kizer in that environment at night but think the running game will keep us close. Also worried about our defense vs the spread still. Secondary is still a concern. Going for the reverse jinx. Clemson 31 ND 20


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Irish YJ]

Big stage for Kizer. Death Valley, night game, ESPN Gameday... Doesn't get any bigger except a Natty.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Its a prime time game. Clemson will pull a Clemson and choke.

 

[Blaise]

I think this is a game where we will really miss Zaire.... They are going to load the box and force Kizer to throw to beat them. I don't think he is up to the task in a hostile environment.. Clemson 24- ND 14

 

[IrishLion]

Clemson is going to start out on fire. Kizer is going to look like a deer in the headlights. All of the national guys on Twitter will be spouting in real time about how ND isn't quite ready to compete, injuries have been too much, they've finally been caught, etc. etc.

But then, Clemson gonna Clemson, Dabo gonna Dabo, and BK gets the troops in line. Kizer hits a big one to Fuller. CJ picks up a key first down in short yardage, and then tacks on an extra 12 yards in a scrum. The OL gets fired up, the Clemson crowd starts to quiet down, and Jaylon asserts control on defense.

BK brings the hot hot fire with a master playcall sheet, akin to '12 Oklahoma, and ND ends up winning by 17 in a game that would have been a blowout if not for a sluggish start due to the hostile environment.

ND 45, Clemson 28.

 

[tko]

Clemson 24-14, our cornerbacks get torched.

 

[theclassickiller]

I can see us struggling to move the ball if Kizer doesn't improve, but also can see our defense doing well against this team.

This will be a really good warm up for USC. Clemson, like USC, has a very athletic defense, but potentially we maybe able to run well on both. Offense is loaded with skill players, just like USC. Nice thing about USC is they don't have a dual threat QB, so if we play well against this Clemson team, I'm going to feel pretty good about USC.

I wouldn't call Watson a dual-threat anymore. Have you watched him run this year? It's Peyton Manning-esque. He lays down 5 yards before anyone hits him. I would prefer him run instead of throw on our secondary, but I'm afraid he'll be looking to throw all day and avoid running. I think his injuries have messed with his head too much.

 

[Cackalacky]

Close till halftime. ND pulls away late.

Watson has a rough game due to the pressure BVG finally gets to succeed. Watson struggled mightily against Louisville's D. I look for a similar gameplan by BVG. Jaylon hulks out.

31-21

 

[phork]

Everyone says they aren't sure about ND especially after Texas, Virginia and now GT eat total ass and UMass was expected.

Clemson lost something like 7 of their top 8 tacklers from their defense last year. They also blew out AppSt and Wofford but squeaked by Louisville.

When ND beats Clemson, and handily, everyone will then say that Clemson is over rated etc etc and ND will have to beat USC to prove its playoff ready.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Everyone says they aren't sure about ND especially after Texas, Virginia and now GT eat total ass and UMass was expected.

Clemson lost something like 7 of their top 8 tacklers from their defense last year. They also blew out AppSt and Wofford but squeaked by Louisville.

When ND beats Clemson, and handily, everyone will then say that Clemson is over rated etc etc and ND will have to beat USC to prove its playoff ready.

I doubt people will be saying that. Beating a home team, coming off a two week layoff, in an hostile environment, with a QB that is playing his first true road game will mean much more than what a few haters may say. But make no mistake, it's gonna take more than what the Irish have shown thus far in order to walk away with the win. The DBs are a huge concern and Watson can hurt you if you don't make him hurry up. BK needs to run the ball. And run the ball, and then run some more. Then only ask DK to do what is needed in order to keep the chains moving. This one comes down to who can control the LOS. If the Irish struggle running the ball - Clemson's DL and LBs are the best the Irish will have seen at this point - then it is going to tough to beat the Tigers on their turf.

I still like the Irish however. 31-27

 

[ACamp1900]

If it comes down to who can control the line of scrimmage when ND has the ball then I really I like ND's chances,... turnovers and what happens on that same line when Clemson has the ball will play just as big of role though imo...

 

[T Town Tommy]

If it comes down to who can control the line of scrimmage when ND has the ball then I really I like ND's chances,... turnovers and what happens on that same line when Clemson has the ball will play just as big of role though imo...

I like ND's line on offense for sure. But I got a feeling Dabo is going to cheat up in the box and make DK have to throw the ball. I think the Clemson DBs will be in man a lot so DK - and BK - need to take advantage of that when they can. Just take what they give you and move the chains.