College Football Bowl Previews

Jeff Shain, OFN CFB writer
01/01/2018 11:12AM ET

NOTRE DAME (9-3) VS. LSU (9-3)
 

Site: Camping World Stadium, Orlando.

Kickoff: Monday, 1 p.m. TV: ABC.

Line: LSU by 3.

All-time series: Notre Dame leads 6-5.

Last meeting: Notre Dame 31, LSU 28 (2014 Music City Bowl).

NOTRE DAME

Coach: Brian Kelly (8th season, 68-34; overall 14th season, 121-56).

All-time postseason: 17-18.

Last postseason appearance: Lost to Ohio State 44-28 in 2015 Fiesta Bowl.

Draft spotlight: *RB Josh Adams. Went from a good athlete that happens to play running back to a legitimate top 15 overall prospect this season. The speed he shows in the open field has proven to be more than capable of running away from defenders in space. Read full report here.

Other Fighting Irish to watch: WR Equanimeous St. Brown, OT Mike McGlinchey, G Quenton Nelson, LB Nyles Morgan.

Irish Jigs: Adams has ripped off 7 runs of at least 60 yards this year, including a 4-game streak in which he had TD runs of at least 70 yards. … Nelson has played 819 snaps this season without allowing a sack or even a QB hit. He’s the high-rated OL in the nation according to Pro Football Focus. … Brandon Wimbush is the third Irish QB to top 500 yards rushing and 1,000 passing in the same season.

LSU

Coach: Ed Orgeron (2nd season, 15-5; overall 6th season, 31-32).

All-time postseason: 25-22-1.

Last postseason appearance: Beat Louisville 29-9 in 2016 Citrus Bowl.

Draft spotlight: WR D.J. Chark. Considering LSU’s passing woes in previous years, Chark can be considered a late bloomer. His frame has plenty of muscle but should have no issues adding more bulk early in his career.  His long speed is up there with the best in the class. Read full report here.

Other Tigers to watch: *RB Derrius Guice, OT K.J. Malone, DE Christian LaCouture, NT Greg Gilmore.

Tiger Tales: LSU closed out its regular season with six wins in its final seven games. The only loss came to then-No.1 Alabama to start November. … The Tigers have turned the ball over just 8 times this season. It’ll tie the NCAA record if they can stay turnover-free in the bowl. … QB Danny Etling has thrown just 2 INTs in 242 attempts. His 73/1 completion-to-INT ratio is No.2 in SEC annals.

* underclass draft prospect