3 reasons why Notre Dame will upset Clemson and 1 why they won’t
By John Buhler
1. Book has played in plenty of big games
Saturday night is begging to belong to Ian Book. Not since the Golden Domers defeated the Michigan Wolverines back in 2018 has there been a big spot we will all be watching and waiting to see the Notre Dame quarterback come up big. He shrank in the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic and his Irish didn’t bully the Georgia Bulldogs on the road Between the Hedges last season in primetime.
Though beating Clemson in the College Football Playoff and upsetting Georgia at Sanford Stadium are things most college quarterbacks aren’t even remotely capable of, this is the time and place for Book to have the signature moment of his college career. He does not have to throw for 300 yards or throw for five touchdowns. Book only needs to play with confidence and trust his teammates.
Book’s former Notre Dame teammate Phil Jurkovec gave him a template last week for how to beat Clemson. Brent Venables’ defense will bring the pressure, but if Book can connect on a few deep balls, it might be enough for Notre Dame to win this all-time classic. Book is better known for his mobility and leadership, but this is the game he cannot leave any tool unused in the tool bag.
What will serve Book is he will look across the gridiron and firmly understand he does not have to beat Lawrence, only Uiagalelei. While it does not mean he needs to take the talented freshman quarterback for granted, it means he does not have to accept certain defeat at the hands of an opposing quarterback who is clearly and undeniably better than him in Lawrence.