Strength of schedule
by wearinofthegreen (2018-12-10 18:25:22)

Which team had the most difficult schedule, ND or Clemson ? Which team plays the most physical, ND or Clemson ? Which team has the best secondary, ND or Clemson ?


Clearly, ND had a tougher schedule.
by BIG MAC  (2018-12-10 19:54:47)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

It wouldn't even be close if FSU and USC didn't have off years.


I don't know about "clearly". ND has an edge but
by 84david  (2018-12-11 09:09:02)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I think they are comparable.


Its not a huge difference
by BIG MAC  (2018-12-12 14:38:22)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

....but it's a clear difference. We played a tougher, and certainly more diverse schedule.


Sagarin SOS rankings: ND 42, Clemson 48
by ShermanOaksND  (2018-12-10 22:43:17)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

And FSU was on both teams' schedules, so their disappointing season rates a wash. Clemson's relative SOS was helped more by the fact that their USC was better than ND's -- South Carolina is ranked 28th versus 47th for Southern Cal. Virginia Tech (63rd) also hurt ND's SOS, although Louisville (113th) was much worse for Clemson. One of Clemson's less-exalted opponents, Georgia Southern, rated a semi-respectable 86th.

This is an extremely unusual bowl matchup, in that the teams have 4 common opponents -- all ACC teams on ND's schedule except Virginia Tech. This is how the non-common opponents match up.

Clemson:
Furman---145
Texas A&M---17
Ga. Southern---86
Georgia Tech---38
NC State---26
Louisville---113
Boston College---40
Duke---59
South Carolina---28

ND:
Michigan---4
Ball State---131
Vanderbilt---51
Stanford---23
Virginia Tech---63
Navy---105
Northwestern---37
Southern Cal---47


FPI and FEI also rule in favor of ND's SOS over Clemson.
by G.K.Chesterton  (2018-12-10 23:07:38)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

FPI SOS:

Oklahoma 27
Notre Dame 34
Clemson 47
Alabama 50

FEI SOS:

Alabama 11
Oklahoma 17
Notre Dame 51
Clemson 68



Interesting
by pmoose  (2018-12-11 09:45:32)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

One of the rating systems rank Alabama's the best SOS of the 4 playoff teams whereas the other one ranks it the worst...