In the first of two notebooks previewing Miami’s upcoming game on Saturday night versus Clemson, I’ll break down how I expect the Hurricanes’ offense to match up against the Tigers’ defense.
Entering Week 5, quarterback Darian Mensah and the UM offense rank among the country’s best. The Hurricanes are first nationally in total yards per game (588.8), third in points (51.8), fourth in passing yards (361.3) and 20th in rushing yards (227.5).
Mensah has put up video game-like numbers, throwing for 1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns and just 12 incompletions. His favorite target? That would be superstar sophomore Malachi Toney, of course.
Through four games, Toney ranks third in all of college football in receptions (34) and receiving yards (564) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (six).
This blistering aerial attack will be tested by a Tigers defense that features multiple future NFL draft picks.
“They have probably a handful of first, second-round players. When you look at the skill set of defenses, when they have that many NFL players, typically they’re pretty good,” Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson told reporters on Monday.
Cornerback Ashton Hampton has established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the nation. He’s allowed just nine completions on 26 targets this season and has posted a team-high Pro Football Focus grade of 83.7. Cornerback Elliot Washington II, who has already picked off three passes, joins Hampton in the Clemson secondary.
Will Hampton face off opposite Toney in man coverage? Probably not, for the most part. Hampton is generally an outside cornerback, while Toney most frequently lines up in the slot.
As for the Tigers’ front seven, edge rusher Will Heldt and linebacker Sammy Brown are two names to know. Heldt has a team-high five sacks, while Brown is second on the team in tackles (33). Both players were named to the Preseason All-ACC First Team.
“Clemson is a good team. It’s a good opportunity to go against a good defense. All-around, good playmakers. It’s just an opportunity for us to go out there and go play football, the game that we love,” Hurricanes tight end Elija Lofton said.
Clemson’s run defense has been inconsistent to start the season. The Tigers stuffed Georgia Southern and California, allowing just 54 rushing yards per game. LSU and North Carolina, however, ran all over the Tigers to the tune of over 500 combined yards. For the season, Clemson ranks 98th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (157.8).
With star tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. set to play after missing last week’s game, expect the Hurricanes to try establishing the run, which would surely quiet the rowdy Clemson crowd.
“They're hard to beat in general. I don’t know if they’ve gotten beat at their place a ton over the last decade,” Dawson said. “That place is tough to play.”
In this matchup between Miami’s offense and Clemson’s defense, the Hurricanes appear to have the advantage, but the Tigers have enough talent to be taken seriously.
