(11-01-2020 10:12 AM)schmolik Wrote: Even if Notre Dame wins Saturday, if Clemson wins the ACC Championship Game, Clemson will probably still go to the Playoff. They will likely be ranked #3 behind undefeated #1 Alabama and #2 Ohio State but they'll make it. They'll have a convenient excuse. And if Notre Dame can't beat Clemson twice, they better hope no one from the Pac-12 or Cincinnati goes unbeaten. Maybe even an unbeaten BYU gets in over a once beaten Notre Dame whose best win is over a Trevor Lawrence less Clemson). They also have to watch out if a Western Division team upsets Ohio State or either Georgia or Florida upsets Alabama. And all of this assumes Notre Dame wins Saturday which isn't guaranteed. If Notre Dame can't win in South Bend without Trevor, I find it hard to believe they will beat them in Charlotte (arguably a Clemson home game) with Trevor.
I have no expectation of an ND playoff berth.
ND will likely be beaten fairly badly next week, Lawrence or no Lawrence.
If it makes the ACC Championship game, I expect the same result against Clemson.
In my opinion, ND is a top ten team this year, but not a playoff level team.
It is not on the level of Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State.
It sits in the next tier, which ain't a crime. Kelly has done a good job of building a program.
(Anyone recall the later Charlie Weis 7-6 years ?)
The OL, RB, and TE positions are all very good and very deep. The defense is for real.
However, the passing game (QB, WR) is a bit lacking.
Part of that is due to the injury losses of WR's Kevin Austin and Braden Lenzy, ND's two fastest receivers.
Part of the problem is the physical limitations of Ian Book.
(Who is 26-3 as a starter at ND, despite those limitations)
ND has a 5 star freshman WR (Jordan Johnson) sitting on the bench. Kelly hasn't played him because of off the field "transitional" issues.
Highly rated freshman WR Xaiver Watts sits out as well, along with freshman wideout Jay Brunelle.
I am hoping that ND wins the non-Clemson games on its schedule and finishes 10-2.
It better watch out for upsets at BC, NC and Wake.
If it finishes 10-2 and ends up in the Orange Bowl with losses only to Clemson, I will consider it a very good season.