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Notre Dame Football: 3 takeaways from crushing loss to Clemson in ACC title game

By Connor Muldowney

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Amari Rodgers (3) with the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Shaun Crawford (20) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Amari Rodgers (3) with the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Shaun Crawford (20) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. This was worst-case scenario for Notre Dame

Notre Dame had essentially locked up a playoff berth heading into the ACC title game by piecing together a 10-0 regular season. The only thing that could keep the Irish out of the playoff would be a blowout loss to the Tigers. That didn’t seem likely given how close the first game between these two teams was and that the Irish have shown they can beat the Tigers.

But Clemson had revenge on the mind on Saturday night.

Notre Dame scored first with a field goal and then picked off Trevor Lawrence and it looked like the Irish might just make another statement. But a missed field goal by the Irish on the ensuing drive led to momentum for Lawrence and the Tigers as they scored 34 straight points, marching ahead of Notre Dame by four touchdowns.

Not ideal if you’re the Irish who were hoping to keep it respectable even in a loss in order to ensure two ACC teams make the playoff.

This was worst-case scenario for Notre Dame and the Irish are going to be on edge until the final four is announced on Sunday afternoon.

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