Notre Dame-Clemson prediction: Will Irish seize 2022’s last chance at a signature moment?

Patterson is a two-time captain and a fifth-year senior. He has been injured a lot this season. Saturday night, No. 4 Clemson visits Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since the team's 47-40 double-overtime win two years ago. The game is on NBC at 7:30 p.m. ET.  Marcus Freeman is the new defensive coordinator at Notre Notre. His team is 3-3, but could be in the College Football Playoff if it beats Clemson. It's also a chance for him to show his program is trending in right direction.

Notre Dame's offensive line has been building to this moment since it flopped on opening night against Ohio State. The team's run game has not been at its best against top-10 opponents. Notre Dame has four 200-yard rushing performances in its past five games. Clemson's rush defense ranks No. 11 in the FBS in yards per carry allowed at 2.98. The Irish have averaged 4.7 yards a carry in their last six games since. If the offensive linemen can continue that trend against Clemson, the Irish offense has a chance to move the ball. if it doesn't, it's hard to see Notre Notre going forward.

Notre Dame's defense ranks last in the country in terms of touchdowns allowed in red zone. DJ Uiagalelei is a running threat for Clemson. The Syracuse game showed the difficulty of defending the quarterback in that area. It's important to have a plan and thought process of what the offense is going to do in a red area, according to Al Golden. He also advises to shrink the call sheet. In the red zones, somebody has to make a play. Syracuse's offense was a cautionary tale for the give-and-take of red-zone defense. They played a 4-4 front with Xavier Watts playing as an in-the-box linebacker.

Drew Pyne has been inconsistent for the past three weeks. Tommy Rees' challenge is to bridge the gap between Pye's performances against North Carolina or BYU and his bottoming out against Stanford, UNLV and Syracuse.

Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne has struggled recently. Rees wants to call more screens and play-action. Pyane is 36 of 74 for 472 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the last 3 games. He has to improve his accuracy and protection. Clemson is a big game for Notre Dame. The team is running the ball well. It's going to force them to take more opportunities in passing game.

Notre Dame and Clemson meet in 2022. Clemson has the better quarterback and the more talented defense. The weather forecast could play a factor. If Notre Dame's offensive line is for real, the Irish should stay in the game even with Pyne at quarterback.