Blue and Gold Illustrated

GAME PREVIEW: CLEMSON also have ESPN's College GameDay preview. This year's game at "Death Valley" is basically viewed nationally as a playoff elimination encounter. The loser might not necessarily concede it as such, but the winner will place itself in a favor- able position to be in the conversation. IDLE TIME This might almost seem like a bowl preparation for Clemson. After win- ning at Louisville Sept. 17, the Tigers were idle the next two Saturdays prior to facing the Irish. Will the 16-day lull between games be a benefit or detriment to head coach Dabo Swinney's team? On paper, it is expected to be more of a benefit because it provides ex- tended opportunity to study and prepare for the opposition. It also al- lows some recovery time from early season wounds among personnel. Conversely, some extra time off could take the team out of its regular season rhythm. Like Clemson with Louisville, Notre Dame already has had the ben- efit of achieving a hard-fought victory on the road (Virginia) — with a new quarterback at the helm. The Irish have also played and vanquished an oppo- nent against whom they were deemed the underdog (Georgia Tech), and then had the proverbial tune-up against a top passing team, but an eminently beatable one, in UMass, to get back into rhythm after facing the triple-option attack of the Yellow Jackets. Sometimes to rest is to rust. Others might say Notre Dame is the one that needs the rest. Either way, the "reason- ing" behind the win or loss is bound to have this angle. ✦ Predictions Bryan Driskell: Notre Dame 27, Clemson 20 Clemson has yet to face an offense as balanced as Notre Dame's, which will help DeShone Kizer settle in during his first major road test of the season. Andrew Ivins: Notre Dame 31, Clemson 24 You couldn't script a more hostile environment for DeShone Kizer's first career road start … but Clem‑ son might be even more beat up with injuries, and the defense is a shell of its former self. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 28, Clemson 20 Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is one of the best in the nation, but Notre Dame's of‑ fense will outscore a Tiger offense missing receiver Mike Williams. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 27, Clemson 23 My prediction for the Notre Dame regular season was 10‑2, with losses at Clemson and to USC. The more the Irish win, though, the harder it becomes to pick against them. Jordan Wells: Notre Dame 28, Clemson 27 Preseason I picked Clemson here, but the Tigers are maybe the only top team nationally to face more roster shifts than Notre Dame. Give me the Irish in a close one.

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