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Talking Notre Dame-Clemson with BetMGM’s Ryan Horvat

Notre Dame is beating Clemson on Saturday night.  There are no if-and-or-buts about it. Notre Dame is knocking off unbeaten Clemson and putting a severe dent in their College Football Playoff chances.

As I write this, I want to believe that, but I have concerns over how Notre Dame will move the ball against the Clemson defense as the running game that the Irish rely heavily on has its work cut out.  But I’m not the one making a claim, or guarantee.  Instead, that comes from Ryan Horvat of BetMGM.  

Full disclosure, Ryan is a Catholic league kid at heart from the south Chicago suburbs (Joliet Catholic Academy specifically so Roll Hill and shoutouts to Tom Thayer, Mike Goolsby, and Rudy himself).   Ryah has been following Notre Dame football for more than a hot minute.  He also LOVES the Irish at home this weekend, a place I’m having trouble getting myself to.  

I’ve known Ryan since my radio days and thought his strong belief in the Irish this weekend would music to some Notre Dame fan’s ears.  If you’re on the pessimistic side for the Clemson game like myself, take Ryan’s word on 2022 Notre Dame and why Irish fans will be thrilled around 10:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night.  

As a lifelong Notre Dame fan what are your thoughts on Marcus Freeman 11 months in?

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

RH: There have been some frustrating moments early on. Losing to Marshall is unacceptable, but I said the same thing in year one for [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] after losses to Navy and Tulsa. I think they are heading in the right direction, I am excited about the future. It all comes down to recruiting, this will be a big summer for the program and hopefully, they can close the season out with a few big wins! 

What are your takeaways from the offensive struggles?

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RH: I have been a bigger fan of the play calling the past few weeks. This team’s strength heading into the season was their offensive line and they should be running the football. The Buchner injury was devastating, and the lack of talent in the wide receiver room was obviously going to be a problem heading into the season. The goal this offseason should be bringing in as many playmakers as possible. It does not matter who is behind center when you don’t have any speed or talent on the outside. 

How do you fairly evaluate Tommy Rees when he’s playing with a backup and such a deficiency at wide receiver?

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RH: I think it is tough. I give him a pass the first few weeks of the season. I will judge what we have seen the last few weeks and what we see to close out the season. In the past five weeks they have figured out their strength – and that is running the football. They are averaging 228 yards per game and they have bumped up to 34.4 ppg during that stretch. In the first three games of the season, they did not have an identity – they were only rushing for 117 yards per game and they could not put points on the board. 

What is your impression of this version of Clemson to date?

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RH: I think as college football fans, we should all be rooting against Clemson this Saturday. This team has no business making the Playoff this season. They have barely escaped in wins over Wake Forest and Syracuse and they have played a weak non-conference schedule. I think the Irish will be able to run the football Saturday night. Clemson has struggled at times this season on offense. Their QB DJ Uiagalelei was benched in their win over Syracuse and has struggled the past month. He has been solid when he has a clean pocket, but when pressured his PFF passing Grade drops from 91 to 46.  The Irish have the 48th-best pass-rushing grade in the country. If they get to him in this game, he will make some mistakes and they will be able to capitalize. 

What do you have confidence in Notre Dame to be able to do well Saturday night?

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

RH: I think they will be able to move the ball on the ground. Clemson has struggled against the run this season and Notre Dame runs the ball 61% of the time behind a top-15 run-blocking unit. I also think they will be able to pressure whichever Quarterback Clemson goes with on Saturday night. 

Whether it's a stat line or just a general overview - what does Drew Pyne has to accomplish for this victory to be had?

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RH: He needs to play a clean game. No bad interceptions and no forced throws. He does not need to be a hero to win this game. They need to run the ball, control the clock and keep the Clemson offense on the sidelines. Some nice and easy throws early in the game might be a good idea to give him some confidence early on. 

Why so much confidence in a team that has lost at home to both Marshall and Stanford?

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RH: Notre Dame has won 26 straight regular-season games against the ACC! This is a much different team than we saw in those losses. And I also think they will get up for this game with an electric crowd in a primetime spot. 

Does a win over Clemson wipe away the bad taste of the losses to Marshall and Stanford, and get Freeman back to even par for '22?

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

RH: For me it does. A win over a top 5 program on National TV would be great for the future of the program. Obviously not the season we were all hoping for, but a win over Dabo always makes me happy! 

Joliet Catholic or Providence this weekend? (Illinois high school football super powers)

RH: I have to pick JCA! But I do think it will be a close game! I’ll say 31 – 27 Hill! 

Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire