Miami at Clemson

Written by Jack Jones

The Miami Hurricanes visit the Clemson Tigers Saturday in what is expected to be a tightly-contested ACC showdown. According to the college football odds, they have listed Miami -3 over Clemson. Since the No. 16 Hurricanes joined the ACC, all three of their meetings with the Tigers have gone into overtime, and there’s no reason to believe that this game will play out any differently.

Miami lost in Week 2 to No. 2 Ohio State 36-24 due to four interceptions from QB Jacory Harris. After having nearly two weeks to think about it, Harris came back the next time out and threw two touchdowns in a 31-3 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. Miami’s defense also forced three turnovers in that contest, and when the Hurricanes don’t beat themselves they are very tough to beat.

Harris still has a long way to go to live up to the Heisman Trophy expectations he had at the beginning of the season. To date, he has thrown six touchdowns to six interceptions en route to leading the Hurricanes to a 2-1 starts. The defense is playing spectacular, though, allowing 252.0 total yards per game which ranks eighth in the nation. Miami has only allowed three touchdowns drives, two of which started inside their own 19 yard-line.

Last year’s meeting saw Miami’s defense look far more vulnerable than what it has shown thus far. Clemson QB Kyle Parker threw for a career-high 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-37 upset in overtime against the Hurricanes. That same game saw Harris throw three picks and cost his team dearly once again. The road team has won every meeting thus far, and the Hurricanes would love to see that trend continue.

Clemson could easily be 3-0 right now if it weren’t for a blown 17-0 lead at then-No. 16 Auburn two weeks ago. The Tigers eventually lost in overtime after they had made a field goal to tie it, but it was called back on a penalty and they missed the subsequent try from 5 yards further. Parker threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the loss despite playing through bruised ribs. The injury is expected to be behind him, and with two weeks of rest he is listed as fully healthy.

Last year, the Tigers lost three of their first five contests before going on a six-game winning streak that led to the ACC Atlantic Division title. “I’m more encouraged than discouraged right now,” coach Dabo Swinney said. “I do think we have the personnel and the chemistry on this team to really be a good football team. What we got to do know is try and create some momentum.”

Sophomore running back Andre Ellington has picked up right where C.J. Spiller left off. He has averaged 7.4 yards per carry with four touchdowns through three games. This Miami defense is surely up to the challenge, though, considering they help Pitt’s Dion Lewis to just 41 yards on 12 carries. Offensively, the Hurricanes will be looking to finally get their ground game going. This is a deep backfield with loads of talent, but Miami ranks just 85th in the country at 125.0 rushing yards per game. They could find some holes against a Clemson defense that is yielding 184.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 96th in the land.

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