CLEMSON — Clemson welcomes fourth-ranked Miami to town on Saturday in what might be the biggest game of the season for the Tigers.

Obviously, there are ACC implications. The result could ultimately affect Clemson’s chances of making a run at a spot in the conference championship game. However, and what might end up proving to be as important, this is another chance to prove this team can compete with some of the nation’s best.

Despite the current three-game winning streak, what happened in Baton Rouge to start the season is still fresh. The one thing that can’t happen is what transpired in that game. The Tigers need to at least look like they belong on the same field. And they will have to do it against a Miami team that just might be better than LSU. With Darian Mensah, the Hurricanes certainly have the better quarterback.

Mensah has been lights out through four games, putting up otherworldly numbers. The fourth-year signal caller is completing 88% of his throws, with 14 touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Last season with Duke, Mensah proved he can come into Death Valley and leave with a win, and that Duke team was nowhere near as talented as this Miami team. The fourth-year signal caller is a seasoned veteran, so he isn’t likely to be phased by the environment.

That means the defense is going to have to impact him. Tom Allen is going to have to scheme up a plan that allows the Tigers to make Mensah a little uncomfortable. If he has time in the pocket, the result won’t be pretty. No matter how well the secondary is playing, the defensive backs can’t be asked to cover those receivers that long. Malachi Toney might be the best wideout in the country.

However, this defense also can’t allow the Canes to run it at will. That’s where it starts. Let’s face it, outside of the Cal game, the Tigers’ run defense has been fairly leaky. It was pretty effective over the final eight minutes of the UNC game, too, but before that delay, the Heels were pretty successful running the ball.

Miami running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javion Malloy are a formidable duo, as the Hurricanes rush for more than 200 yards per contest. Fletcher is averaging 6.4 yards per carry, while Malloy is averaging nine yards per rush. If those two are allowed to pick up chunks of yards, it makes it that much easier for Mensah to carve up the back seven.

What could go a long way towards making this game competitive is Tait Reynolds and the passing game taking a rather large step. Knowing where that part of the offense is currently, that is probably a big ask, but hitting an early explosive or two would help keep Miami’s defense honest and not allow it to stack the line and key on the running game.

Reynolds has to find a way to get Clemson’s talented wideouts involved, and the earlier the better. The freshman is also going to have to make some plays with his legs, something we already know he is capable of doing.

The most important piece, though, is getting Gideon Davidson and those running backs going. The Tigers have leaned heavily on the running game during the current winning streak and will almost assuredly try to do so again in this one. A successful ground game eats up time and keeps the dangerous Miami offense watching from the sideline.

Keeping Reynolds and the offense out of second-and-long and third-and-long situations will once again be key. Play in front of the sticks.

Having said all of that, I’m just not confident all of that is going to happen. This is a Clemson team that is still a work in progress. Miami opened as a 17.5-point favorite for a reason.

The weather also looks like it could be a factor, seeing as rain is in the forecast. Surprising right? With the Tigers’ passing game struggling as is, rainy conditions and a wet football probably don’t favor Clemson.

For me, it’s not so much about the end result. Some might not care to hear that, but for me, it’s more about whether or not the Tigers can make it competitive. After what happened in Baton Rouge, that would certainly be progress.

I think they do. At least for a while. But this Miami team is just too talented. The ‘Canes win the second half and cover the number.

Miami 31, Clemson 13

— Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider