When he shares his intel on an upcoming opponent, Dabo Swinney does not sound like Clemson's coach. He sounds like a BINGO caller.

Swinney does not burden himself with memorizing the names of opposing players. But he does not forget jersey numbers.

During Swinney's review of Notre Dame, Clemson's opponent in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, three numbers continued to show up in the passing game.

10. 81. 83.

"They play other guys, but it's pretty much 10, 81 and 83." Swinney said. "Their offense goes through those three guys."

Those numbers signify Notre Dame's top three receivers. No. 10 is Chris Finke, whom Swinney called "quick as a cat." Finke staffs the slot in Notre Dame's attack. He caught 47 passes for 547 yards with two touchdowns through Notre Dame's previous 12 games.

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"He's got good hands," Swinney said. "He's definitely kind of their move-the-chains guy. He can get down the middle of the field on you in a heartbeat, too."

No. 81 is Miles Boykin, who led Notre Dame through the regular season with 54 receptions, 803 yards and eight touchdowns. No. 83 is Chase Claypool, who compiled 48 receptions, 631 yards and four touchdowns.

"They're a run-first offense. They're built to run the ball," Swinney said. "Then everything comes off of that. They try to stay on schedule and take a lot of shots with 81 and 83 outside."

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Swinney asserted that Notre Dame's most effective weapon is its sound, efficient execution. The Irish may not repeatedly burn foes over the top, but they can march steadily downfield, without conceding any ground on penalties and inexplicable mistakes.

"The most impressive thing about Notre Dame to me is they don't beat themselves," Swinney said. "They're where they're supposed to be. So, you have to make the plays. You have to play well. You have to execute, and they're going to make you execute and make plays. They're not going to give you a whole lot.

"You have to beat them. To this point, nobody's been able to do that."