WHAT TO KNOW

What’s at stake

Both teams are thinking College Football Playoff and the loser’s chances take a big hit.

Key matchup

Notre Dame WR Will Fuller against Clemson CB MacKensie Alexander. Fuller is eighth in the country with 454 yards on 22 catches, six of those going for touchdowns. He will be matched largely against Alexander, the third-year sophomore who specializes at shutting off his side of the field. Opposing quarterbacks are 21 of 65 passing when throwing to the man Alexander was covering in 16 games as Clemson’s starter.

Players to watch

Notre Dame: RB C.J. Prosise has taken over the Fighting Irish running game, filling in for injured starter Tarean Folston and rushing for 600 yards on 74 carries — an average of 8.1 yards per rush.

Clemson: QB Deshaun Watson has become the face of Tigers football and was a preseason favorite for Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year. However, the sophomore has had an unspectacular start to the season and will be looking to break out against the Fighting Irish.

Facts & figures

These teams have only played twice before, Notre Dame winning in 1977 and Clemson winning two years later. ... It is the 10th matchup of top 15 teams at Memorial Stadium. Clemson has lost six of those previous nine games including a 51-14 defeat to Florida State in 2013. ... The only other time Notre Dame played at Clemson featured a matchup of Irish quarterback Joe Montana and Tigers wideout Dwight Clark. The two would hook up a few seasons later on “The Catch” in San Francisco’s NFC Championship game victory. ... Think it’s tough to find a seat at Memorial Stadium? Clemson coach Dabo Swinney quipped he “couldn’t get Jesus a ticket” for Saturday night’s game.

Betting line

Pick ’em