My obnoxious ND coworker forwarded me a some comments from discussion he started.
Here is the question he posed:
My colleague at work is a huge Clemson fan.
Clemson is replacing 4 of 5 starters on the OL. Clemson expects to be starting two true Freshman at RT and LT. The only returning starter is there center. They do have some OL that have game experience but OL has been an area of recruiting concern in numbers over the last 5 years. They just lost senior starter Isaiah Battle at Tackle due to off the field issues so that hurts. They do have senior Joe Gore who started 3 games last year then was benched, but is expected to compete for starting at RT and LT. So they are very thin and inexperienced at OL.
Clemson is replacing all starters on the DL and only return two players on the DL 2 deep. They do have some young talented DL and also had a great DL recruiting class last year. But for this year it could be a big advantage to the Irish.
Like ND if there starting QB Watson goes down they are completely screwed.
Clemson does have great game changing playmakers at the offensive skill positions that will need to be held in check.
If Zaire works out and we stays healthy I really like our match up here across the board.
Staff thoughts.
Here is an articulate response
Put it this way: How would you feel about this game if ND had lost three or four of its five starters along the offensive line while Clemson returns everyone along the front seven? Part II is how would you feel if Notre Dame lost Day, Jones and Rochell along the line, while Clemson returned four of its offensive line starters?
Football begins with line play, and ND has an advantage in both areas. Clemson has some dynamic playmakers, but the Irish aren't chopped liver in that area either.
The hostile environment for a veteran team can be actually more galvanizing and uplifting. Many times over the years, ND has actually performed better on the road than at home because the focus can be sharper. Oklahoma in 2012, the game in Arlington vs. ASU in 2013 and at FSU last season are examples. Clemson 2015 can be that type of situation.
With that said, Clemson has become a "program" with four straight 10-plus win seasons, including impressive bowl wins over LSU, Urban Meyer's Ohio State team and the 40-6 shellacking of Oklahoma last year with a reserve QB in for Clemson. ND has not developed into a program for 20-plus years. It has to take that kind of step this year ... and then sustain it for several years.
I can understand Clemson being favored in this game, but I will be surprised if Notre Dame doesn't play well in this contest, similar to Oklahoma in 2012 or FSU in 2014 — and the 'Noles were more veteran than this Clemson team (same with ND).
Here is the question he posed:
My colleague at work is a huge Clemson fan.
Clemson is replacing 4 of 5 starters on the OL. Clemson expects to be starting two true Freshman at RT and LT. The only returning starter is there center. They do have some OL that have game experience but OL has been an area of recruiting concern in numbers over the last 5 years. They just lost senior starter Isaiah Battle at Tackle due to off the field issues so that hurts. They do have senior Joe Gore who started 3 games last year then was benched, but is expected to compete for starting at RT and LT. So they are very thin and inexperienced at OL.
Clemson is replacing all starters on the DL and only return two players on the DL 2 deep. They do have some young talented DL and also had a great DL recruiting class last year. But for this year it could be a big advantage to the Irish.
Like ND if there starting QB Watson goes down they are completely screwed.
Clemson does have great game changing playmakers at the offensive skill positions that will need to be held in check.
If Zaire works out and we stays healthy I really like our match up here across the board.
Staff thoughts.
Here is an articulate response
Put it this way: How would you feel about this game if ND had lost three or four of its five starters along the offensive line while Clemson returns everyone along the front seven? Part II is how would you feel if Notre Dame lost Day, Jones and Rochell along the line, while Clemson returned four of its offensive line starters?
Football begins with line play, and ND has an advantage in both areas. Clemson has some dynamic playmakers, but the Irish aren't chopped liver in that area either.
The hostile environment for a veteran team can be actually more galvanizing and uplifting. Many times over the years, ND has actually performed better on the road than at home because the focus can be sharper. Oklahoma in 2012, the game in Arlington vs. ASU in 2013 and at FSU last season are examples. Clemson 2015 can be that type of situation.
With that said, Clemson has become a "program" with four straight 10-plus win seasons, including impressive bowl wins over LSU, Urban Meyer's Ohio State team and the 40-6 shellacking of Oklahoma last year with a reserve QB in for Clemson. ND has not developed into a program for 20-plus years. It has to take that kind of step this year ... and then sustain it for several years.
I can understand Clemson being favored in this game, but I will be surprised if Notre Dame doesn't play well in this contest, similar to Oklahoma in 2012 or FSU in 2014 — and the 'Noles were more veteran than this Clemson team (same with ND).
