Cotton Bowl: Breaking down the edges and keys to victory between Clemson and Notre Dame

The College Football Playoff gets started with two semifinal matchups on Dec. 29. The winners of both games will advance to the national championship game in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 7. 

The first game will take place Saturday afternoon in the Cotton Bowl where No. 2 Clemson faces off with No. 3 Notre Dame. It's the fourth consecutive playoff appearance for the Tigers and the first for the Irish.

A look at which team has the edge in each aspect of the game and four keys to victory for both teams when they take the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

PASSING OFFENSE

Both teams changed quarterbacks in September, with Clemson tapping true freshman Trevor Lawrence and Notre Dame going with junior Ian Book. Each has more than justified the move. Book has been accurate and sneakily athletic while providing a dose of toughness to the Notre Dame offense. But Lawrence has put together one of the best seasons by a rookie starter in recent NCAA history, particularly when considering the stakes at play. There may not be a better prospect at the position in the country. EDGE: Clemson

RUNNING GAME

Notre Dame's Dexter Williams (941 yards) has been the primary weapon in the running game after joining the lineup in late September. The Irish have scored at least 38 points in each of the three games where Williams earned 20 or more carries. His counterpart at Clemson, sophomore Travis Etienne (1,463 yards and 21 touchdowns), played his way into the Heisman Trophy race as one of college football's most intriguing skill players. What separates the Tigers' ground game is the sense of explosiveness Etienne brings to every touch. EDGE: Clemson

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