CLEMSON — Clemson is right where it wants to be heading into a crucial ACC matchup against No. 4 Miami.
The Tigers are riding a three-game winning streak after getting run off the field in Baton Rouge to start the season. Most people, had you told them before the season started that Clemson would be 3-1 heading into this game, they’d have taken it.
However, the journey to that 3-1 record surely hasn’t always been pretty. There was the ugly loss to LSU, and not-so-pretty wins over Georgia Southern and North Carolina. Yet, here we are.
Despite some of the ugliness, we’ve seen some growth from this football team, and on both sides of the ball. Now, we find out exactly how much growth there has been.
Clemson looks to earn a home win against an AP Top 5 opponent for the fifth time in Death Valley, as this one pits the ACC’s only 2-0 teams against each other.
Miami won the last time the two teams met, 28-20 in 2021, and the series between the two is tied 7-7 all-time.
5 Things to Watch For
1. Can the Freshman Pull It Off: There is no denying that the offense has looked different with Tait Reynolds on the field. The unit just looks more confident when he’s been on the field. That said, he’s still a freshman, and there have been some rookie mistakes.
If Clemson has any shot at pulling off the upset, Reynolds will need to play the best game of his young career. That means limiting the turnovers, making Miami respect his legs, and last but not least, getting the downfield passing game going. The Tigers will not win this game just by leaning on the running game. The ‘Canes are too good defensively and are not likely to be beaten by a one-dimensional offense.
The best-case scenario here is for Reynolds to get off to a fast start and find some early momentum. That would certainly be the best way to have the crowd fully behind this team from the get-go. And let’s face it, the Tigers are going to need to feed off the energy from what needs to be a raucous environment.
2. The Magic Number: While the offense can’t solely rely on running the ball, the ground game will need to get going early. Miami has only allowed 158 rushing yards through four games. And no, that isn’t a typo. The Canes also allow just 1.86 yards per carry.
So what is the magic number for Clemson here? This team needs to rush for a minimum of 150 yards on Saturday night, with Gideon Davidson leading the charge. The sophomore back has proven in each of the past two weeks what he is capable of, and this offense needs to continue to ride him. Maybe transfer back Chris Johnson can finally find a way to have an impact on the ground against his former team.
3. Secondary vs. Malachi Toney: This should be a fun one to watch unfold. Toney is arguably the best wideout in the country. No one is likely going to shut him completely down, so slowing him down is probably the goal.
Does Ashton Hampton follow him no matter where he lines up? Because Miami will move him around, and Hampton has been extremely good to this point in the season. However, so has Elliot Washington II. It will be interesting to see exactly what the plan for Toney is here. Whatever it is, it can’t involve him being allowed to have many one-on-one opportunities against the safeties or the nickel.
4. Can Clemson D Make Darian Mensah Uncomfortable: Tom Allen’s unit was able to make the quarterback uncomfortable last week, and that played a crucial role in the Tigers’ road win at Cal. Somehow, some way, this defense has to find a way to make Mensah a little uncomfortable.
Mensah might be the best quarterback in the country. He’s passing for 302.8 yards per game, while completing an eye-popping 88.7% of his throws. He’s also yet to throw an interception, and his 14 passing touchdowns lead the nation.
If Mensah is given time in the pocket, he is going to make you pay. It won’t matter how well the secondary is playing. They can only cover these receivers for so long.
5A. Slow the Ground Game: As good as Mensah is, Miami is going to test this Clemson run defense, which has been inconsistent through the first four games. The Tigers have been better of late, but Saturday will be the gauge for exactly where this run defense is.
The Hurricanes are averaging more than 200 rushing yards per game and average well over six yards per carry. If they are allowed to hit those numbers, this one might get ugly.
5B. Bring Your Rain Gear: Both of Clemson’s home games have experienced lengthy weather delays, so it should come as no surprise that rain is in the forecast for Saturday night. It looks like it could possibly even be heavy rain. Let’s just hope for no lightning. Who knows, maybe some heavy rain will help slow down that explosive Miami offense.
