Tigers narrow focus on Notre Dame in Friday Walk-through

Tony Crumpton · Assoc. Editor · Friday, December 28 2018

DALLAS – Clemson conducted a brief walk-through Friday as a part of its final preparation for its College Football Playoff semifinal clash with third-seeded Notre Dame.

The Tigers (12-0, 8-0 ACC) and Fighting Irish (12-0) are meeting for the fourth time and the first time in the postseason. Clemson holds a 2-1 series advantage, winning the 1979 game in South Bend (16-10) and the 2015 game at home (24-22). Notre Dame won the 1977 matchup at Death Valley (21-17).

Clemson is one of only six current Football Bowl Subdivision schools with a winning mark against the Irish in a minimum of three games played, joining Florida State (6-3), Michigan (24-18-1), Nebraska (8-7-1), Ohio State (4-2) and North Carolina State (2-1).

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic celebrates its 83rd anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 29. Live coverage on ESPN is set for 3 p.m. CST, with kickoff slated for 3:10 p.m.

This marks the fifth consecutive year for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to be a part of the ESPN bowl lineup. Sean McDonough and Todd Blackledge are set to provide the call from the booth with Holly Rowe and Tom Rinaldi reporting from the sidelines.

ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner for the seventh consecutive year. Bill Rosinski teams with David Norrie in the booth and Ian Fitzsimmons on the sidelines to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium.

-- College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic --