Notre Dame bowl projections following domination of Clemson

What is more important in regards to Notre Dame’s ultimate bowl destination: opponent, location, winnability, or other?

Unless you’re living under a bridge in a far-off land, you’re aware Notre Dame kicked the living daylights out of previously unbeaten Clemson last week and moved to 6-3 on the year.  The Irish officially became bowl eligible with the victory and we scoured the internet to find where the experts see Notre Dame heading this winter.

As a Notre Dame fan (which we assume you are since you’re at Fighting Irish Wire), do you have a preference on where the Irish head?  Does it not matter to you as long as it’s warm?  A big-name opponent?  A cool city?  A winnable game?

If it’s not the College Football Playoff then most people have their desires for a bowl appearance that has to do with one of the above.  Here is where the 12 outlets we found have Notre Dame heading this postseason.  Comment below with which you would prefer or would most like to avoid.

Notre Dame football earns national award after beating Clemson

Congratulations @NDfootball

When a football team enters a year they probably have a few goals.  Beating a rival, winning a certain amount of games, and going to a bowl game is probably among those.  Depending on the program there may be more.

Although I would be shocked if it was true I’d like to imagine a world where a college football coach stands before his team at the start of the year and tells them of their goal to one day be named the Cheez-It Bowl national team of the week.

Gentlemen:  I love and every one of you.  In 2022 we’re going to embark an an epic journey and are going to accomplish many things.  We’re going beat those jerks we don’t like down the street.  We’re going to go to a bowl game in Miami.  And we’re going to be named the Cheez-It Bowl national team of the week!”

I don’t imagine [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] gave a speech like that before the season started but either way, Notre Dame was named the Cheez-It Bowl National Team of the Week for their efforts in manhandling Clemson.

Check out the best photos from Notre Dame’s drubbing of Clemson

Instant takeaways from Notre Dame’s massive win over Clemson

Congratulations to them and I can’t state how much I love that the photo chosen includes legendary Irish linebacker [autotag]Jaylon Smith[/autotag] and his finest fur.  Hopefully, the team gets crates full of the Cheddarjack Cheez-It’s as a reward.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Nick Shepkowski on Twitter @NickShepkowski

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Bart Boatwright’s second Cheez-It Bowl photo gallery

ORLANDO – Clemson defeated Iowa State 20-13 to win the Cheez-It bowl and earn win No. 10 for the 11th season in a row. Check out more great shots of the Tigers win over Iowa State in Bart Boatwright’s second Cheez-It bowl Photo Gallery.

ORLANDO — Clemson defeated Iowa State 20-13 to win the Cheez-It bowl and earn win No. 10 for the 11th season in a row.

Check out more great shots of the Tigers win over Iowa State in Bart Boatwright’s second Cheez-It bowl Photo Gallery.

Swinney has message for Clemson fans at pep rally

ORLANDO – Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney made a surprise appearance at the Cheez-It bowl pep rally. Coach Swinney had a message for the Clemson fans in attendance.

ORLANDO — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney made a surprise appearance at the Cheez-It bowl pep rally.

Coach Swinney had a message for the Clemson fans in attendance.

Henry gives the latest on the Tigers

ORLANDO – The Clemson Insider caught up with Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry Monday as the Tigers enjoyed some time at Fun Spot America. Henry gave the latest on the Tigers preparations for the Cheez-It Bowl.

ORLANDO — The Clemson Insider caught up with Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry Monday as the Tigers enjoyed some time at Fun Spot America.

Henry gave the latest on the Tigers preparations for the Cheez-It Bowl.

Clemson Cheez-It Bowl Offensive, Special Teams Press Conference

ORLANDO – The coordinator and player press conferences where held Sunday morning at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. Clemson’s new offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter, new special teams coordinator Mike Reed and quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei were on hand for …

ORLANDO — The coordinator and player press conferences where held Sunday morning at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.  Clemson’s new offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter, new special teams coordinator Mike Reed and quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei were on hand for the Tigers.

Watch the press conference on TCITV:

Clemson Friday Practice Photo Gallery

Clemson hit the practice fields Friday afternoon as they continue to prepare for the Cheez-It Bowl. We got our first chance to see some of the coaches in their new roles. Check out some pictures of the Tigers’ Friday practice in this Photo Gallery.

Clemson hit the practice fields Friday afternoon as they continue to prepare for the Cheez-It Bowl.  We got our first chance to see some of the coaches in their new roles.

Check out some pictures of the Tigers’ Friday practice in this Photo Gallery.

Notre Dame’s updated national bowl projections

Would you prefer Atlanta or Phoenix for New Years?

A 31-16 win over USC moved No. 11 Notre Dame to 6-1 on the 2021 season as a favorable schedule awaits them to close the year.  Notre Dame won’t play another team who is currently ranked, although 5-2 Virginia is knocking on the door as they’re again in the “receiving votes” category of both the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 poll this week.

So where do the experts think Notre Dame will be headed this bowl season?

The loss to Cincinnati will be nearly impossible to overcome in terms of another College Football Playoff appearance, assuming absolute craziness doesn’t happen at least, but the Irish are being seen by more as a New Years Six team in this week’s look around the national bowl projections.