Perhaps the biggest matchup to watch in the Cotton Bowl will be Clemson’s offensive line vs. Notre Dame’s defensive front.
On paper at least, the Tigers seem to have the edge. Led by All-American left tackle Mitch Hyatt, Clemson is perhaps having its best season up front since Danny Ford days.
Clemson ranks 10th nationally and second in the ACC at running the football, averaging 259.8 yards per game, the best season average since 1988. The Tigers need just 93 yards against Notre Dame to set the all-time record for rushing yards in a season, beating the mark set by the 1978 team.