Notre Dame is getting a lot of credit for beating the pants off Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh. Not saying the Fighting Irish have not been impressive, it's just that Clemson is a completely different beast. Even though the Tigers will be without Trevor Lawrence, freshman D.J. Uiagalelei was mighty impressive in a short week in a come-from-behind win over Boston College. It's not just Uiagalelei but Travis Etienne and Clemson's defense that has me backing the Tigers. There's every reason to beleive Brent Venables will have that unit fired up after it put Clemson in a big hole last week. Uiagalelei getting a full week of practice should help, too.

There is a good possibility of getting +6 or +6.5 closer to game time. The Irish have made strides over the last couple of years with more talent. They have three future NFL offensive linemen and a three-year starter at quarterback in Ian Book. Book has thrown 41 TD passes to just seven interceptions since the beginning of last year. Clemson is without the presumed No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who's worth nine points. The defense is missing four starters, including its top lineman, Xavier Thomas, for the first half, a value of 3.5 points. Take Notre Dame and sprinkle some on the money line.

It's a huge game for both teams and Dabo Swinney has a history of getting conservative in these games as it is, and I can't imagine he'll have a different approach without his starting QB. I'm also skeptical the Notre Dame offense will have much success against this Clemson defense. The Under is the best play.

I don't want to understate the loss of Trevor Lawrence and what he means to Clemson's offense, but that's why you recruit the way you do when you're an elite program. This is still a very good team, as proven by its comeback victory over Boston College with freshman QB DJ Uiagalelei. Notre Dame is a very good team, which is why the line is at this number, but it is not explosive. Clemson will come up with at least two or three chunk plays in order to cover this spread.

Please, please, please stop focusing on Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. He'll be fine. The real matchup to watch in this one is Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book vs. a Clemson secondary that, if you're trying to find a weakness for the Tigers, is that weakness. There's one problem ... Book can't take advantage of that weakness. Notre Dame's offense is centered around the running game and an efficient passing game. That won't work against Clemson. The Tigers will win by double digits and the defense will lock down the Fighting Irish to hit the Under.