This week, Andrea Adelson and Matt Fortuna are taking a look at the pivotal matchups in Saturday’s Notre Dame-Clemson game. They start Monday with perhaps the biggest matchup, featuring the guys under center

Matchup: Notre Dame QB vs. Clemson QB

Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer: The winner of this battle should settle the big debate once and for all: What is the preferred spelling of DeShone/Deshaun? For the Irish, they hope it is the former, and they are asking quite a lot from their signal-caller to go into Death Valley and escape with a 5-0 record. No, DeShone Kizer and Deshaun Watson won’t be facing each other while on the field, but the play of both will probably be the biggest factor in Saturday’s outcome. Kizer, a redshirt freshman, has made just two career starts, but he has demonstrated the proper poise and maturity that is necessary to lead a team full of veterans with playoff hopes. Look no further than his last-minute touchdown pass to win at Virginia, while relieving an injured Malik Zaire. Or look at his solid outings these past two weeks, against Georgia Tech and UMass.

This, of course, is a far different test, especially given the raucous road atmosphere and the “College GameDay” hoopla surrounding the event. For all of the good he has done, Kizer has looked like a rookie at times, throwing a pick in each of his two starts and resembling the former prep pitcher he used to be on some curiously underthrown intermediate routes. And he lacks the big-game experience that his counterpart, Watson, has — most notably through Watson’s performances last year in defeat at Florida State and in routing South Carolina (on a torn ACL). The biggest question for Kizer, though, may hinge on the attack that coordinator Brent Venables and Co. present him. Virginia, Georgia Tech and UMass don’t compare to the kind of front Clemson brings, and those Tiger DBs are all too happy to take advantage of any miscues. Recognizing blitzes and adjusting protections at the line may be the next step in Kizer’s development, a step he will most likely have to ace this weekend at Memorial Stadium.

Still, Kizer has a head coach in his corner, Brian Kelly, who is now 17-1 at Notre Dame when starting a true or redshirt freshman quarterback. And that has to provide a jolt of confidence to everyone around the program that Kizer can get the job done Saturday — especially given all of the talent that he has to work with on offense.

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson: It speaks volumes about Watson that folks around the country expect him to perform like a senior, when he has started only eight career games. While he’s more experienced than Kizer, he is a true sophomore. Still, we have seen his ability to lead in more ways than one, and for the offense to be successful against the Irish, Watson needs to be on top of his game.

He did not necessarily play perfectly last time out against Louisville, though coach Dabo Swinney came to his defense, pointing to a 70 percent completion percentage and an ability to make plays in the run game (4.5 yards per carry). Watson threw two interceptions (one was the receiver’s fault) and skipped a third-down pass into the grass that would have sealed the game. Already, he has more interceptions this year (three) than all of last year (two), but the Tigers remain unbeaten.

What Clemson must try to do is open up the passing game despite missing All-ACC receiver Mike Williams. So far, nobody has emerged as a deep threat. While that has worked out through three games, eventually the Tigers are going to need to rely on the explosive plays that have made this offense run over the last several years. The game plan against Louisville might have focused on the short passing game, but having Watson stretch the field is going to be crucial against an Irish defense that most certainly will test his ability to do so.

So will his ability to run, to keep the Notre Dame defense guessing. Watson had 12 carries against the Cardinals, the fourth time in his career he has had 10 or more carries in a game. It won’t be a surprise if he hits that number again on Saturday.