Sixth-ranked Clemson (6-0, 3-0 in the ACC) heads down to the Sunshine State looking to continue what’s been a dominant run through the ACC against the Miami Hurricanes (4-2, 1-1).
How to watch Clemson vs. Miami on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
Tigers head down to South Beach to take on the Hurricanes.
The Tigers have been heating up and are currently Bill Connelly’s No. 1 team in S&P+. Sophomore quarterback DeShaun Watson has started to regain the form he flashed during an injury-plagued freshman season, passing for 685 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games. His 420 yards against Boston College last week marked the most yards the Eagles have given up to an opponent since 2012. His 14 touchdown passes lead the conference, plus he’s tacked on another two on the ground.
The Hurricanes are led by their own super soph QB in Brad Kaaya, averaging nearly 300 yards per game with 10 touchdowns against just one interception. The offense is solidly explosive with receivers Rashawn Scott and Herb Waters, but it faces a tough task against a Clemson defense that has allowed just 476 yards in its last two games and ranks fifth in S&P+.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: Clemson is favored by 3.5 points.
Make friends: Shakin’ the Southland has all the chatter Clemson fans need on this game, while State of the U is the place to go for Hurricanes fans.
Three big things to know
1. Strength on strength?
These two offenses match up pretty well against each other, with both young quarterbacks finding a groove. Clemson’s defense has been much better than Miami’s to date, particularly in the secondary. Kaaya doesn’t make many mistakes, and his room for error will be really small if Watson and the Tigers get moving.
2. Run the dang ball!
Clemson averages 181 rushing yards per game. Miami gives up 167 on the ground on average. Watch for the Tigers to get sophomore Wayne Gallman going with the Hurricanes on their heels worried about Watson's passing, which has been explosive of late. Plus, the Canes are without senior linebacker Raphael Kirby, who suffered a season-ending injury last week against Virginia Tech.
3. Shaq Lawson
The Clemson defensive lineman ranks second in the ACC with 10.5 tackles for loss on the season, and he faces a Hurricanes offensive line that has allowed the fewest tackles behind the line in the conference. If Lawson can help corral Joseph Yearby, that will put Kaaya in more predictable passing situations.
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