FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The sixth-ranked Clemson Tigers head to sunny Miami to take on the 4-2 Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Saturday. The Tigers have won nine straight games heading into the 12:02 p.m. kickoff which will be televised to a national audience on ABC.
About Miami: The Hurricanes have won 16 of their last 19 games at home, and are 3-0 at Sun Life Stadium this year, including last week’s 30-20 victory over Virginia Tech. Miami’s plus-13 turnover margin leads the nation. It has lost just two turnovers all season, the second fewest in the FBS.
Miami’ offense: Quarterback Brad Kaaya leads the ACC in passing yards with 1,795 yards. He also leads the ACC in total offense with 1,749 yards. He has thrown just four interceptions in his last 421 attempts. He has thrown just one interception this season. Wide receiver Rashawn Scott ranks second in the ACC in receiving yards per game (74.3) and touchdowns (4). The ‘Canes are averaging 33.7 points and 307.5 passing yards per game. Miami made big changes on the O-Line last week and started three new players at right tackle, right guard and left guard.
Miami’s defense: With linebacker Raphael Kirby out for the season with a torn ACL, the Hurricanes lost their leading tackler and perhaps their best defensive player. Miami is giving up 379.3 yards per game, including 167.3 on the ground. The secondary does lead the ACC with 11 interceptions, but they are also yielding 212 yards per game. The ‘Canes rank 12th in total defense, 11th in passing defense and 11th in rushing defense.
Records: Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC); Miami (4-2, 1-1 ACC)
Series record: Miami leads 6-3
Games in Miami: Tied 3-3
First meeting: Miami 7, Clemson 6 in 1945
Last Meeting: Miami 30, Clemson 21 in 2010
Streak: The road team has won four in a row
Last Clemson win: Clemson 40, Miami 37 (OT) at Miami in 2009
Injuries: Clemson – Out: LB Korin Wiggins (knee); WR Mike Williams (neck); C Zach Riggs (knee); DT Jabril Robinson (knee). Probable: C Ryan Norton (knee); DB Ryan Carter (hamstring); DE Austin Bryant (knee). Miami – Out: LB Raphael Kirby (knee); LB Darrion Owens (knee); LB Marques Gayot (neck).
Stat worth noting: Clemson is 9-0 when quarterback Deshaun Watson starts and finishes a game. The Clemson quarterback is 10-1 overall in his 11 career starts, the first quarterback in Clemson history to win 10 of his first 11 starts.
Second stat worth noting: Clemson is the only top 12 team in the AP or Coaches Poll to have a win over a top 12 team. The Tigers beat No. 11 Notre Dame on Oct. 3.
Third stat worth noting: A win over Miami on Saturday would mark the Tigers’ 10th consecutive victory in a row. It will also give Clemson its first 10-game winning streak since the 1983-’84 seasons.
Memorable game: Reggie Merriweather ran for a career-high 114 yards and three second-half touchdowns, including a 2-yard score in overtime to cap Clemson’s 24-17 comeback victory over Miami on November 8, 2004. The Tigers trailed 17-3 at halftime, but dominated the second half and sent the reeling Hurricanes to a second straight loss. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst completed 21 of 37 passes for 258 yards for Clemson. Clemson needed five plays to score in the extra session, with the Tigers benefiting from a pass-interference penalty against cornerback Kelly Jennings. That moved Clemson to the 10, and Merriweather scored three plays later to cap the Tigers’ rally from a 17-3 halftime deficit. Clemson outgained Miami 215-104 after halftime, sparking the comeback.