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ACC Football Power Rankings Week 10: Clemson feeling COVID-19 impact

By Dante Pryor

(Photo by Josh Morgan/USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo by Josh Morgan/USA TODAY Sports) /
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Oct 24, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jafar Armstrong (8) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jafar Armstrong (8) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Notre Dame (6-0, 5-0)

The last two games for the Irish have led to their big game versus Clemson this Saturday. Let’s be clear here; the only people who need to believe they are good enough to win a conference title and make it to the National Semifinal to compete for a national title are the people in the locker room in South Bend.

Head coach Brian Kelly has been clear about how the Irish should perceive themselves. Kelly wants the Irish to believe they should pound inferior opponents. Against Georgia Tech, the Irish attempted to score at the end of the game. Kelly wants the Irish to adopt this mindset because this is how elite teams think about games.

The last two weeks the Irish destroyed Pitt and Georgia Tech. Did they look like a team that could compete with Clemson? The defense has looked great all season but has not faced an offense near the caliber of Clemson. Conversely, Clemson has not faced a defense the caliber of Notre Dame.

What does the game mean? If the Irish win, do they have a chance of beating Clemson with Trevor Lawrence. One thing is true, they play Saturday so there are no more questions.

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