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Recap
Since we have been off for a while, it is time to offer up our Hot and Cold Takes for the upcoming College Football Playoff featuring the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers. As a reminder, Cold Takes is something you think is relatively likely to happen, and Hot Takes something that will allow you to say, “I Called It!”. As always, please leave your Hot and Cold Takes in the comment section, and I will feature the Most Accurate, Most Interesting, and Most Wildly Inaccurate (HOPEFULLY I CAN WRITE ONE NEXT WEEK LETS GO).
Cold Take
Trevor Lawrence gets sacked 4+ Times
I think having a fully healthy and rested D line will be a huge. Khalid Kareem was one of the most dominant defensive players on the team before he was slowed with an ankle injury early in the year. I think he flashes very early and forces the O line to key on him. Clark Lea will then start bringing the some delayed pressures, which will put Lawrence under duress more than any other time this year. For the Irish to have a chance, they cannot let him sit back in the pocket. This will be the biggest stage he has played on all year, and Notre Dame needs to make him uncomfortable.
Hot Take
Chris Finke and Cole Kmet Will Both Score Touchdowns
I think these two players will have some very good matchup opportunities this week, against both the linebackers and the safeties. I think the Defense will be keying on the bigger receivers like Chase Claypool, Miles Boykin, and Alize Mack. Kmet is finally healthy and will be a great option in the red zone, and Finke has shown that he will step up on the biggest stages. Finke will end with between 8-10 catches, but under 100 yards. He will be a very reliable short/mid range option like he was consistently against USC. Kmet will score on a play action pass on the goal line (in which Ian Book puts the ball behind his back).