The quarterback matchup for this game is about as lopsided as you could possibly get in a Power Four meeting.
Miami's Darian Mensah is completing passes at a nation's best 88.7 percent with zero interceptions. Mensah has the co-lead nationally with 14 touchdown passes through his first four games as a Hurricane.
Clemson has turned to freshman Tait Reynolds as their starter and he's going through the type of first-year growing pains you'd expect. He's got just one touchdown pass to two interceptions, and his Tigers rank 128th nationally in passing at just 155.8 yards per game. For reference, Miami ranks fourth in passing at 361 yards per game.
It's imperative for Clemson to establish a rushing attack behind Reynolds and tailback Gideon Davidson. Miami's defense only gives up 39.5 rushing yards per game, sitting number one nationally in that category.
Miami DC Corey Hetherman could likely load the box, key in on the running game, and try to force Reynolds to beat them through the air. Expect to see a steady does of outside blitzes to try and make Reynolds uncomfortable and to keep him from escaping the pocket. The Tigers often employ five wide in order to spread their opponent out in order to find running room between the hashmarks.
Here are some other keys to the game ahead of this prime time road matchup.
Rainy conditions: Bad weather is in the forecast for most of the game. Darian Mensah told me this week that Miami still plans to "attack" in any kind of weather. He told me that the adjustments the team makes in practices include the wet ball drill, which is exactly what it sounds like. You wet down your practice footballs to better simulate the slippery conditions. I don't see rain as a major advantage for other teams, but Clemson analysts think it could help their side, probably due to the idea of a sloppy game shrinking the margins for a high flying offense like Miami's.
Offensive line will be tested: Miami's offensive front showed significant progress against Central Michigan, but Clemson's defense will be a bigger test. The Tigers have a talented front seven, including future NFL players like DE Will Heldt and linebacker Sammy Brown. For the Canes, we will all be counting the snaps for freshman guard Ben Congdon, who seems to be emerging as Miami's top option at left guard.
Injured players returning: Miami will be getting running back Mark Fletcher Jr, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr, and cornerback Damari Brown back into the lineup after the trio sat for the Central Michigan game with minor injuries. Defensive end Armondo Blount, who played just four snaps against the Chippewas, will also return. Mario Cristobal noted that progress is being made for starting cornerback Xavier Lucas, but hinted that he might be a game time decision at best. Lucas hasn't played since the opener at Stanford.
Dabo Narratives: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is being viewed nationally as a stubborn dinosaur who failed to evolve. The Tigers' talent level has taken a major dip during the NIL era, for a coach that won two national championships there during simpler times. Clemson has already been blown out once this year at LSU. If Miami wins emphatically at Death Valley, the Swinney seat could get legitimately hot. The Hurricanes are favored by 16 and a half points.
