Five Notre Dame players who could be trouble for Clemson football
The Clemson football team will travel up to South Bend, Indiana to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this Saturday evening.
The Tigers, who enter the game as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, will be looking to improve their impressive regular season winning streak of 36 games when they face the No. 4-ranked Fighting Irish.
As we continue to prepare for the big-time Clemson football game, here are five Notre Dame players who could be trouble for the Tigers.
5. Kyle Hamilton
Kyle Hamilton is a name that you probably haven’t heard, but he’s one that could make some big plays for the Fighting Irish Saturday night.
Hamilton is the leading tackler for Notre Dame (28) and he has been in on several pass breakups throughout the season.
Though Notre Dame lost some serious talent in the backend of that defense from a year ago, Hamilton has been a bright spot and will be a player who is hungry to make plays against the Tiger offense and potentially bait D.J. Uiagalelei into a freshman mistake.
4. Adetokunbo Ogundeji
There are several really good players on this Notre Dame defensive line and Adetokunbo Ogundeji is potentially the top player.
Ogundeji, the starting weakside defensive end for the Irish, has registered 11 tackles and three sacks on the season and he will be looking to get in the backfield and create havoc against the Tiger offensive line.
For those who have been keeping up with Clemson football this season, you know that the offensive line has been shaky at times. It will be interesting to see what the unit looks like when it goes up against this Notre Dame defensive line on Saturday.
3. Kyren Williams
There are few running backs who ever are able to make a major impact against Clemson football and I don’t think this game will be any different.
That being said, you can’t talk about Notre Dame’s offense without mentioning Kyren Williams.
Williams has 105 carries for 600 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. He’s been an absolute workhorse and the cog that makes this Irish offense go.
Don’t be surprised for Notre Dame to try and get Williams involved early and often. It will be up to this Tiger front-seven to stop him and force the plays to the outside.
2. Ian Book
Ian Book isn’t scaring anybody with his athleticism or throwing ability. That being said, he is able to do just enough to beat you if you’re not careful.
Book is the type of quarterback who, even though he’s not fast, he’s able to pick up seven yards on 3rd down and 6. He’s able to get eight yards when its 3rd and 7.
Book is serviceable and he’s a guy that absolutely can beat the Tigers if he gets into any kind of a rhythm. That’s why Clemson needs to be wary of his escapability and create pressure in the backfield.
1. Notre Dame offensive line
Of course, to be able to do that, the Tigers will have to have their best performance of the season from a defensive line perspective.
Why? Because Notre Dame’s offensive line is legit.
Clemson hasn’t faced an offensive line that has the talent or depth of Notre Dame yet.
This offensive line knows how to create a push and that’s what has made Kyren Williams so effective in the running game.
If the Tigers want to get off the field, they’ve got to confuse that Notre Dame offensive line and create pressure in the backfield.