PRACTICE NOTES

Notre Dame wrapped up preparation for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 83rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with a one-hour walk-through on Friday at AT&T Stadium.

This is the first playoff appearance for the Fighting Irish (12-0), ranked third in the CFP standings, but Head Coach Brian Kelly has tried to make each day this week operate as much as possible like the team’s normal game-week routine. Earlier in the day at a press conference, Kelly said he intended for the team to focus on “flipping that mindset from a practice to a competitive mindset.

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).

Clemson put the final touches on its Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic preparation on a busy day for the Tigers.

Following the team's official media day at AT&T Stadium, players and coaches visited Texas Scottish Rite Hospital before heading back to Arlington for their final full practice of the week.

Head coach Dabo Swinney said he was pleased with the high energy in their Team Thursday workout as his Tigers fine-tuned their game plan one last time prior to their semifinal matchup against third-seeded Notre Dame (12-0).

Notre Dame put in its longest day at AT&T Stadium on Thursday in preparation for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 83rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

The No. 3 Fighting Irish (12-0) kicked off the morning with all players and coaches participating in the semifinal’s official media day on the AT&T Stadium field. Afterward, the team changed in the locker room and returned to practice for 90 minutes, then showered and changed again and ate lunch before leaving about four hours after arriving.

Clemson went through its customary Working Man Wednesday practice with a lively, two-plus hour workout at AT&T Stadium.

The severe weather outside did not squelch the Tigers’ intensity inside on the turf as the team went through its most physical practice of the week.

“You can tell the guys are getting eager to play,” said head coach Dabo Swinney. “Today was our last day of good on good. We cranked the music up and created some noise. I thought the guys were very focused and into it.

Notre Dame turned up the intensity Wednesday as it continued to prepare for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 83rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

The Fighting Irish (12-0), who are third in the CFP rankings, worked hard in full pads for two hours in their third on-site practice at AT&T Stadium. Midway through practice and again near the end, they operated with crowd noise playing through the stadium sound system. The noise was louder than some concerts the stadium has hosted and, they hope, replicated the most intense moments of a live game.

Clemson enjoyed the holiday with a day mixed with Christmas cheer and spirited work on the practice field as the Tigers went through a second full day of preparation for the 83rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

The day began with a festive brunch at the team’s headquarters hotel complete with an appearance by Santa Claus, performances by the coaches and their families and the musical stylings of several student-athletes capped off by head coach Dabo Swinney singing a rousing rendition of Silent Night.

Notre Dame took care of business and made plenty of time to celebrate Christmas on Tuesday.

The Fighting Irish (12-0), No. 3 in the CFP rankings, practiced for two hours at AT&T Stadium in preparation for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 83rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

It was a festive start. Instead of the usual pre-practice music jam, the team warmed up to Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas is You and other energetic holiday tunes.

“Today was a good day,” Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly said.

Clemson got back to business Monday afternoon with its first Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic practice at AT&T Stadium.

Continuing the theme from the regular season, the Tigers (13-0, 8-0 ACC) conducted a regular Mental Monday workout in shorts and shells, focusing in on the mental aspects of preparation for their College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup with the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-0).

“It’s not a typical Mental Monday just because, obviously, we’ve had a lot more time to get ready,” said head coach Dabo Swinney.

Notre Dame worked nearly two hours Monday at AT&T Stadium in its first on-site practice for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

The Fighting Irish (12-0), No. 3 in the CFP rankings, practiced in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets for the first time since Thursday before breaking for a few days off. They arrived in North Texas on Sunday. Now their focus is on their opponent, No. 2 Clemson (13-0, 9-0 ACC).

“We’re excited about getting into a routine now,” Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly said.

The No. 2 Clemson Tigers arrived Sunday evening in North Texas to great fanfare, settling in their home away from home for the week in anticipation of their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Clemson’s official travel party rolled into their team hotel wearing cowboy hats and Christmas outfits to a classic Cotton Bowl welcome. The Townview Big “D” marching band greeted the Tigers before they quickly turned their focus back to the task at hand just six days away.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish arrived in waves and with little fanfare late Sunday to begin preparing for the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 83rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Most of the players traveled on their own individually and arrived at the team hotel throughout the day after having a few days off to go home. Coaches, staff and about a dozen players were among the school travel party that flew from South Bend, Ind., on a charter plane to DFW International Airport on Sunday night and then bussed to the team hotel.

Taking time for one last practice session for the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the No. 8 USC Trojans conducted a short walk-through at Coppell High School Thursday afternoon.

The Pac-12 champions now play the waiting game for just over 24 hours before taking center stage under the prime time spotlight at AT&T Stadium against the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes. Head coach Clay Helton said his squad just needs to translate their on-field preparations to in-game execution in order to come out victorious over a talented Buckeye bunch.

The Ohio State Buckeyes closed a week of work and play with a walk-through on Thursday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.

The No. 5 Buckeyes (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten) will put their preparation to the test Friday against the No. 8 USC Trojans (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) in the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer had plenty to do before getting his team to the walk-through. His obligations included the head coaches’ press conference with USC’s Clay Helton in the morning and later the Goodyear Big Play Luncheon.

The process is almost complete.

The No. 8 USC Trojans went through a light workout Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Stadium in their penultimate prep session before taking on No. 5 Ohio State in the 82nd edition of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

“It was a really good; a good red zone practice for us now two days out, 48 hours away from game day,” said head coach Clay Helton. “The kids are excited. It was a little bit emotional for us because it’s really our last practice with our seniors.