Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons the Irish will shock Alabama in Rose Bowl

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish jogs off the field in the fourth quarter 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; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) is sacked by Clemson Tigers cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ian Book’s experience is important

Ian Book has been here before. He has played on the biggest stage and although he was kept out of the end zone against Clemson two years ago, he knows what it takes to keep with elite teams.

Book led the Irish past Clemson this season already — albeit a Trevor Lawrence-less Clemson team at the time — and he’s played in countless big games throughout his career. He has faced the toughest defenses in the country and he’s put up numbers.

Experience is more important than people realize, especially in games like these.

No one expects Notre Dame to win this game and that’s why having a steady force at the most important position on the field who has been in these “no chance” type of games is so critical. Sure, Mac Jones may be the better player, but he doesn’t have the experience in high-pressure games like Book.

Don’t expect Book to make many mistakes and to play one of the best games of his career.

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