Say what you want to about Dabo Swinney in 2026, but I still believe Miami's upcoming road trip to Clemson will be their toughest test of the season so far.
The Tigers have found some momentum over their past three games since a horrific blowout loss to LSU in Week 1.
As Mario Cristobal pointed out, in their wins over Cal, North Carolina and Georgia Southern, Clemson hasn't allowed a single second half touchdown and have outscored their opponents 42-6 in those second halves. That points to elite halftime adjustments. The Tigers will have a wild crowd behind them for a Death Valley night game.
The Hurricanes still have plenty to improve despite a 4-0 start. Here are players who I believe have raised their stock with a tough road conference game looming.
OL Ben Congdon: Miami might just have found their answer at left guard. Congdon earned 47 snaps at that position against Central Michigan, including plenty of time with the first team. He not only has tremendous strength and size at 6-8 330, but the true freshman also showed top notch football IQ in pass protection. Clemson's defensive line will be a much better test than the Chippewas, but Congdon looks like he might in fact be up for the challenge.
WR Cooper Barkate: Central Michigan was his best game yet despite the stat line of 4 catches for 47 yards not looking Herculean on paper. All four of Barkate's catches went for first downs (3) or touchdowns (1). The senior receiver looks like he is heading into midseason form.
RB Chris Wheatley-Humphrey: In Miami's STACKED running back rotation, you can't waste a single rep once your number is called. "Hellcat" got his first work of the season against Central Michigan and answered the call with 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on 9.5 yards per carry. Even though Marty Brown suffered a season-ending injury at Wake Forest, the RB room is still super crowded with Mark Fletcher, Javian Mallory, Girard Pringle and Jordan Lyle. Humphrey's success on Saturday should earn him more carries moving forward.
RB Javian Mallory: He started the game for the Canes against Central Michigan with Mark Fletcher sitting out for a mild injury. That shows you Mallory has earned the trust of his coaches. While he had one error in pass protection, he also scored a rushing TD and averaged 6 yards per carry. Mallory will likely continue to get reps near the top of the rotation.
DE Marquise Lightfoot: His stock was already high, but he raised it with 2 sacks and 2.5 TFL last week.
DE Herbert "Third" Scroggins: He earned a shoutout from Mario Cristobal for his excellent performance. Third stepped up with Armondo Blount leaving the Central Michigan game early for a minor injury.
DB Brody Jennings: The true freshman hauled in his first career interception. It's great to see young corners stepping up with multiple injuries at that position.
LB Cameron "Bobby" Pruitt: Linebacker is another position with uncertain depth after the injury to Ezekiel Marcelin. Pruitt got his number called and stepped up with a team-high 6 tackles.
