Jesse Palmer: Ian Book is the key to Notre Dame upsetting Clemson Saturday

Jesse Palmer believes Ian Book has what it takes to help Notre Dame football upset Clemson.

If Notre Dame football is to stun Clemson, Jesse Palmer feels Ian Book has to play fantastically.

With Trevor Lawrence being held out for a second game due to a positive coronavirus test, Book must be the difference maker for the Irish. Given that he has played in a bunch of big games before, this is an advantage for him and the Notre Dame program. Clemson will be trotting out there a true freshman in former five-star recruit D.J. Uiagalelei. Palmer thinks Book is key here.

Notre Dame could get two ACC teams in with a home upset of Clemson

“You hit the nail right on the head,” Palmer said. “If Notre Dame is going to pull off the upset, Ian Book will need to have a fantastic game. He may want to take a page out of what former Irish quarterback Phil Jurkovec did last week with Boston College,” said Palmer to FanSided on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project.

“We know that Brent Venables will be blitzing, but he will be doing so with a banged-up defense that is missing linebacker James Skalski. If Book can connect on a few deep balls in the passing game, it might be enough to tip the scales in the favor of the Irish. Everything is going to have to go right for them, but one of Book’s best games could be enough for Notre Dame to win this one.”

Palmer will be hosting the “Honoring Our Warriors” virtual Veterans Day celebration by the Wounded Warrior Project on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. EST on the nonprofit’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel.

“Throughout my time as an NFL player and broadcaster, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many active service members and veterans alike, whose integrity, valor and bravery continues to inspire me today,” said Palmer. “It is an honor to celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country, and I am looking forward to hosting this special program with Wounded Warrior Project that commends their service and sacrifice.”

Notre Dame will not have a better opportunity to beat Clemson than it does on Saturday. It will be night game in South Bend. While Uiagalelei has the greater upside, this will be his first career road start. Book has previously quarterbacked the Irish to the College Football Playoff two years ago. However, Palmer thinks there is only one realistic way the ACC gets two teams into the playoff.

“For the ACC to get two teams in, Notre Dame is going to have to win on Saturday against Clemson’s backup quarterback D.J Uiagalelei,” said Palmer. “Assuming they’ll meet again in the ACC Championship game with Trevor Lawrence back healthy, I don’t see Ian Book and the Fighting Irish being able to beat Clemson at full strength on a neutral-site.”

“They need to take advantage of the opportunity ahead of them this weekend. If Notre Dame wins at home and wins out the rest of the way before falling to Clemson in the rematch in Charlotte, it is very possibly Clemson and Notre Dame both get in this year. Having their only losses being to each other as top-four teams would certainly make a compelling case for them both to get in.”

In both scenarios with Notre Dame winning on Saturday night and the ACC getting two teams into the College Football Playoff, Palmer is absolutely right in it coming down to how Book plays under the bright lights at home vs. Clemson. Simply put, Notre Dame is not getting in if they lose at home to Clemson because they are not likely to beat them in a neutral-site rematch in December.

Saturday night is the biggest game Book has played since the playoff, and Palmer knows this.

Jesse Palmer spoke with FanSided on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project. He will be hosting the “Honoring Our Warriors” virtual Veterans Day celebration by the Wounded Warrior Project on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. EST on the nonprofit’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel.

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