Clemson Football: Notre Dame's Three Biggest Threats
For what seems like the first time in a long time, Notre Dame is the favorite on the road against the Clemson Tigers. The team in orange and white has been reeling of late. The Irish, meanwhile, come in at 7-2 and ranked 15th overall.
So who will Clemson be keying on when kickoff comes at noon on Saturday?
Notre Dame running back Audric Estime
1. Quarterback, Sam Hartman
Stats: 2,126 yards passing on 65.4% completion. 18 passing touchdowns to 5 interceptions. He also has 2 rushing touchdowns on the year as well.
Hartman has provided real leadership and stability for this team since transferring over from Wake Forest and his confidence carries over to the rest of the program. When Notre Dame is clicking, it's usually because Hartman is as well.
2. Running Back, Audric Estime
Stats: 146 carries for 901 yards on 6.2 yards a carry with 12 rushing touchdowns. He also has 13 catches for 109 yards giving him over 1,000 total yards on the season.
While the passing attack is evenly balanced between multiple weapons there's no question who the workhorse in the run game is. Estime has over three times the amount of rushing yards of the next-best guy and no one else on the team has rushed for more than two touchdowns compared to his 12. If Clemson is going to slow down the Irish offense then the front seven has to zero in on #7.
3. Safety, Xavier Watts
Stats: 39 total tackles, 6 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown.
The senior safety has been a turnover-causing machine for the Irish this season. He currently leads the country in interceptions, and with a struggling quarterback in Cade Klubnik who's trying to find his confidence, this guy smells blood in the water. Watch for Watts to capitalize on any mistake the Tigers passing attack may make.
