CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s Game Day in Charlotte where No. 1 Clemson battles No. 7 Miama in the ACC Championship Game as they look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Location: Bank of America Stadium

Kickoff:  8:14 p.m.

Television:  ABC

Announcers:  Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor

2017 Record: Clemson  11-1,  Miami 10-1

ACC/SEC Record: Clemson 7-1 Miami 7-1

Series History:  Miami leads 6-4

Last Meeting:  Clemson won 58-0 in 2015 at Miami

Winning On the Road

Clemson defeated a South Carolina team ranked #24 in the College Football Playoff poll by a 34-10 score on November 25. It was the fourth time this year Clemson has beaten a team ranked in one of the polls on the road.
Earlier, Clemson won at #14 Louisville, at #12 Virginia Tech and at #20 NC State. This is the first time in history Clemson has gained four wins on the road over top 25 teams in the same year.

According to research by ESPN, Clemson is the first Power Five conference
school in the last decade to win four games on the road in a season against teams that would have at least eight wins by the end of the season. Cincinnati did it in 2009. Louisville (8-4), Virginia Tech (9-3), NC State (8-4) and
South Carolina (8-4) all have at least eight wins this year.

Clemson is 20-2 in games away from home over the last three seasons since
the 2014 bowl season when the Tigers beat Oklahoma 40-6 in the Russell Athletic Bowl.  That includes a 14-1 record in true road games. Obviously Saturday’s game in Charlotte against #7 Miami (FL) will be considered a neutral site game.

Clemson vs. Miami (FL) Series

•This will be the 11th meeting between Clemson and Miami (FL) on the gridiron.  Miami (FL) has a 6-4 edge in the series that dates to 1945. In six of the previous 10 meetings Clemson has faced a top 20 Miami team.
This will be the seventh time Miami has faced a top 20 Clemson team. Clemson was ranked sixth the last time the two teams met in 2015 and Clemson is No. 1 in both polls this week. Both teams have been ranked in the
top 25 entering the game three times, including the 2005 game at Clemson in 2005 when 13th ranked Miami (FL) defeated 20th ranked Clemson, 36-30 in triple overtime. That is the longest game in Clemson history in terms of
overtime periods.
•The road team has won each of the last five meetings in this series. The first four of the streak were decided by nine points or less with three in overtime. Clemson won the last meeting by 58-0.

The Turnover Story

The Miami Hurricanes lead the nation turnover margin at +17. They have forced 29 (third in the nation) and committed just 12.  Clemson is 48th in the nation in turnover margin with a +3 figure. The Tigers have forced 16 and committed 13.

While there is a large disparity inthat area, the teams are a lot closer in terms of points off turnovers.  Miami (FL) is +57 in points off turnovers, scoring 72 points off the 29 opponent turnovers and giving up just 15 points after the Hurricanes turn it over on offense. But Clemson is not far behind with a +54 margin.

Clemson has scored 77 points off opposing team turnovers and allowed just 23 points after a Clemson turnover.

Tigers Who Played vs. Miami in 2015

Twenty-eight current Clemson players participated in the 2015 game against Miami.  The list includes three current players who are injured and will not play in this year’s game.  Those players are Greg Huegel, Garrett Williams
and Richard Yeargin.  Three current Tigers started in that game for Clemson, Tyrone Crowder (OG), Mitch Hyatt (OT) and Hunter Renfrow (WR).
Clemson started a talented team in that 2015 victory in Miami. Thirteen starters in that game for Clemson are now on NFL rosters.

Clemson ACC Championship Game History (3-1)

Clemson has a 3-1 record in four previous appearances in the ACC Championship game. In the first two appearances Clemson played a team it faced earlier that season. But, this will be the third straight time Clemson has played a team for the first time in the ACC Championship game. The Tigers faced North Carolina in 2015, Virginia Tech in 2016 and now Miami (FL).
Clemson first played in the ACC Championship game in 2009 and Georgia Tech defeated Clemson, 39-34. Both teams rushed for over 300 yards in the game, the only FBS game in 2009 in which both teams had at least 300 yards rushing. Neither team punted in the game, the only game in Clemson history that has been the case.

C.J. Spiller rushed for 233 yards in 20 attempts, scored four touchdowns, and had 301 all-purpose running yards. Those are both ACC Championship game records, two of six records that Spiller still holds. He was named the game’s MVP, the only time someone from the losing team has been honored.

Clemson won the title two years later with a 38-10 win over Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech was ranked third in the USA Today poll entering the game, and the victory tied for the highest ranked team Clemson defeated at the time. Since then Clemson defeated a No. 2 Ohio State and a No. 1 Alabama in the 2016 CFP Playoff.

Tajh Boyd had three touchdown passes and one rushing to account for four of Clemson’s five touchdowns on the night in 2011, as the Tigers boasted a balanced attach that had 217 yards rushing and 240 passing. It was Clemson’s first ACC Championship since 1991.

Current professionals Dwayne Allen, (twice), Sammy Watkins and Andre Ellington all scored touchdowns for Clemson and the Tigers defense held Virginia Tech to just 56 yards rushing. In 2015, the Tigers defeated North Carolina 45-37 for the championship, a victory that gave Clemson a 13-0 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time. North Carolina was 11-1 and ranked eighth in the nation entering the game.

Deshaun Watson led a Clemson offense that gained 608 yards in 98 plays, 319 rushing and 289 passing. Watson completed 26-42 passes for 289 yards and three scores. He also had 131 yards rushing 24 attempts and scored twice. Wayne Gallman had 187 yards in 28 attempts to lead Clemson’s ground game. Artavis Scott had seven catches for 96 yards and a score. Gallman also had a career high 68 receiving yards, giving him 255 all-purpose yards.

North Carolina gained 382 yards and scored 21 points in the second half. Their last touchdown came with just 1:13 left. Clemson had a 21-16 lead at halftime.

Clemson won last year against Virginia Tech, 42-35 in Orlando.  That game is summarized earlier in this release.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 38 Miami 17

Will – Clemson 30 Miami 20

Gavin – Clemson 28 Miami 20