CLEMSON – It’s Game Day in Death Valley where No. 11 Clemson hosts No. 7 Notre Dame in a battle with College Football Playoff implications.

Location: Memorial Stadium (Death Valley)

Kickoff:  8:22 PM

Television:   ABC

Announcers:  Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler, Heather Cox

2015 Record: Clemson  3-0  Notre Dame 4-0

ACC Record: Clemson 1-0

Series History: Tied 1-1

Last Meeting:  Clemson 16 Notre Dame 10 in 1979

Montana to Clark

Joe Montana (Notre Dame) to Dwight Clark (Clemson) was one of the top passing combinations in the NFL from 1979-87.  The two hooked up for “the catch” in the 1982 NFC Championship game against Dallas.

Clemson Ties

Frank Shaughnessy holds the record for the longest play in Notre Dame history.  In 1904 he returned a fumble for 107 yards for a score.  At the time the field was 110 yards long.  Just three years later he was the head football coach at Clemson.  He led the Tigers to a 4-4 record but beat Georgia Tech and John Heisman in the season finale.

Horace and Jerian Grant

Another tie between the Tiger and the Irish come from the court.  Horace Grant played for the Tigers won the MVP award in the ACC in 1987.  This was the only time a Clemson player was MVP in the ACC.  Last year his nephew, Jerian, was MVP of the ACC Tournament leading the Irish to the championship.

First for Swinney

Dabo Swinney has never coached against the Irish as either an assistant or the head coach.  Coach Brooks, coach Venables and coach Pearman faced the Irish as a coach and Mike Reed played against Notre Dame.

Clemson looking for winning record

A win by the Tigers Saturday night will give Clemson a 2-1 record against the Irish.  Only Florida State (6-2), Michigan (24-17-1), Nebraska (8-7-1) and Ohio State (3-2) have winning records against Notre Dame.

Stanley vs. Lawson

Ronnie Stanley was a preseason All-American by just about every service.  He has 31 starts and has helped the Irish rush for over 200 yards per game this year.  Last year Shaq Lawson played in the shadow of first round draft pick Vic Beasley last season (44-37) but  had more tackles than Beasley although he played less than half the snaps.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 35 Notre Dame 17

Qualk – Clemson 27 Notre Dame 20

Will – Clemson 30 Notre Dame 16

Hale – Clemson 21 Notre Dame 17

Ed – Clemson 31 Notre Dame 20