Notre Dame football score predictions: Clemson vs. Fighting Irish staff picks

The point spread for No. 4 Clemson (8-0) at Notre Dame (5-3) is hanging around the Tigers -3.5 as of Friday morning. Oddsmakers suspect the team aimed at a seventh College Football Playoff appearance in eight years will struggle against the unranked Fighting Irish in front of a sold out crowd at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).

Here’s how the staff at BlueandGold.com sees the game playing out.

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Tyler Horka: Clemson 28, Notre Dame 17

The Tigers are far from the dominant force they were with Deshaun Watson or Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, but they’re still a better team than this year’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame junior quarterback Drew Pyne can’t make enough plays against the plethora of next-level talent Clemson boasts on its defense, and the Tigers — whether it be with incumbent starter DJ Uiagalelei or true freshman Cade Klubnik (or both) at quarterback — will make just enough in enemy territory to leave Notre Dame Stadium with a win, unlike last time. 

The game will come down to two key factors: Notre Dame’s rushing attack and the turnover battle. Clemson will slow the former just enough, and the Irish will once again find it hard to generate any takeaways — as was the case the first seven games of the season.

Patrick Engel: Clemson 20, Notre Dame 16

This is a good but beatable Clemson team. I’m just not convinced Notre Dame matches up well enough to beat it. The Irish’s strength on offense – its run game – is Clemson’s defensive strength. A passing offense that hasn’t topped 150 yards in two of the last three weeks isn’t exactly suited to exploit a weaker Tigers secondary.

The Irish are still going to stick to their identity and run the ball. I think Notre Dame stays above 4.0 and safely reaches 100, but doesn’t handle the Tigers front like it did when it beat them in 2020 (208 yards, 5.2 yards per carry). And if so, a lot of other things need to hit – like a defensive touchdown, 4 sacks and a punt block – for the Irish to win with a shaky passing attack and a short-of-dominant rushing output.

Turns out, that wasn’t too big an ask against Syracuse (mea culpa). It is against Clemson.

Mike Singer: Clemson 27, Notre Dame 24

Under the lights in such a pivotal game for this Irish football team, I expect a gritty showing, but one that will ultimately result in loss No. 4 this season for Notre Dame.

While the clash between Clemson’s defensive line and Notre Dame’s offensive line will be epic, an area that the Tigers will be able to exploit the Irish is when it comes to Pyne and the passing attack. I don’t expect Notre Dame’s passing offense to click against the Tigers, which will put more pressure on the Irish offensive line that already has a handful going against Clemson’s front.

It’ll be a battle, but I give Clemson the slight edge.

Todd D. Burlage: Clemson 24, Notre Dame 17

The fact that a 10-3 record was considered a “down” year for Clemson in 2021 is a testament to what Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney has built in South Carolina. 

After missing the CFP in 2021 for the first time in six seasons, Clemson is poised to rejoin the party in 2022 with an 8-0 record and a No. 4 CFP ranking. But its undefeated start hasn’t been a cakewalk. Three of its six conference games have been decided by six points, including a 51-45 double-overtime win over Wake Forest on Sept. 24. 

Clemson enters this game well-rested and off its bye week. Notre Dame enters off an impressive 41-24 win at No. 16 Syracuse, its most complete victory this season, and its fifth win in the last six outings. The Irish have also won 26 straight regular-season games against ACC foes dating back to 2017, but this isn’t just any ACC foe. Swinney has beaten Notre Dame three out of four times and has won no fewer than 10 games in a season since 2010. 

A deeper Clemson team that’s still fighting for a playoff berth gets the edge in this one.

Steve Downey: Clemson 27, Notre Dame 9

The last time Clemson ventured in to Notre Dame Stadium in 2020, the Fighting Irish registered their first victory against a No. 1 team in 27 years with a thrilling 47-40 win in two overtimes in front of an electric crowd. It will take a monumental effort for the Irish to create a similar scene this year.

The Tigers feature the best defensive front Notre Dame will see this season, one that is good enough to negate what the Irish offense does best. Following its 0-2 start, Notre Dame has averaged 214.5 yards rushing per game en route to winning five of their next six outings. However, the Tigers boast the nation’s seventh-best run defense (87.9 yards allowed per game).

If it comes down to Pyne having to win the game through the air, it is difficult to envision the Irish consistently moving the ball and scoring enough points to pull off the upset.

Season-long records

Tyler Horka: 4-4 straight up, 2-6 against the spread

Patrick Engel: 5-3, 3-5

Mike Singer: 6-2, 4-4

Todd Burlage: 4-4, 3-5

Steve Downey: 5-3, 3-5