No. 4 Miami heads into its Week 5 trip to Clemson with the ACC picture already taking shape, and this one has the feel of a game that can say a lot about where the Hurricanes really stand.
Miami is 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC after beating Wake Forest and Stanford, while Clemson comes in at 3-1 and 2-0 in league play. That puts both teams tied near the top of the conference, and it also sets up an Oct. 3 showdown on ABC at 7:30 p.m. that should draw plenty of attention.
Mario Cristobal has made it clear he sees this group as one of the nation’s best, even if he’s coaching them like a team that still has to prove it. That mindset fits the moment, because Miami is still searching for its cleanest, most complete performance of the season.
One of the biggest names to watch is Barkate, the receiver expected to be Miami’s No. 2 option. He has three touchdowns so far, so the production is there, but the breakout game people have been waiting for still hasn’t arrived.
That could change quickly, especially with what he did against Clemson a year ago, when he went off for six catches, 127 yards and a touchdown. If he can deliver something close to that again, it could open another level for an offense that seems ready to lean on the run.
That ground game may be more than just a preference; it could be part of the plan. Clemson’s offense has been one of the weakest in the conference, which gives Miami a chance to let its defense set the tone and maybe turn the game into a showcase for the Hurricanes’ front.
And Miami’s defense has plenty to work with. The defensive line is loaded, and the return of Ahmad Moten Sr. in the middle and Damari Brown in the secondary gives the Hurricanes even more reason to expect turnovers. That has been a focus all season, and this matchup looks like one where that emphasis could matter.
Then there’s Mensah, who has been described as the best quarterback in the country. Others may point to players in the SEC, especially in Mississippi, but the source of the confidence here is clear: Miami believes its star quarterback has been better.
Still, this game could test that efficiency. Weather might limit the passing attack, which could cut into Mensah’s attempts and keep his touchdown-setting play total low.
It might also simply become a night where Miami chooses to run the ball to send a message that this offense can win in more than one way.
In Other News...
Clemson Faces A Pressure Spot Dabo Has Rarely Seen At Home
Clemson gets a different kind of Saturday spotlight with No. 4 Miami coming to town for an ACC matchup that carries an unusual betting line for Memorial Stadium. The Hurricanes are favored by 16.5 points, which makes this the biggest home underdog spot Clemson has faced under Dabo Swinney, a surprising place for a program that has spent years expecting to be the hunter, not the hunted.
The matchup comes with a few other layers, too, from injury reports that leave several Clemson players either available or questionable to the possibility of rain and thunderstorms turning the night messy. Clemson has shown signs of life defensively, but the offense still has plenty to prove, which is why the prediction leans Miamis way even before the weather enters the picture. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson May Have Found Its Next Answer At Defensive Tackle
Clemson has spent the early part of the season piecing together its defensive tackle rotation, and the latest response came from an unexpected place. Junior defensive end Darien Mayo was shifted inside as the Tigers looked for answers to a depth problem that has been complicated by injuries and absences at the position, and the adjustment was part of the plan in the win over Cal. It gave Clemson a chance to see whether an edge player could help stabilize the interior without overloading the rest of the defensive line.
Mayo's first extended look there offered enough to keep the idea alive, even as the Tigers continue sorting out how they want to use him. The move is clearly being treated as part of the bigger picture rather than a final solution, with Clemson trying to build more long-term depth while it works through the current shortage up front. For a defense that has had to be flexible, finding another workable piece inside could matter a lot if the attrition continues. [Read more 🡒]
Clemsons Secondary Faces Its Biggest Test Against A Familiar Quarterback
Clemsons secondary is heading into a matchup that already feels familiar, and not in a comforting way. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah has been one of the leagues more dangerous passers this season, and the Tigers know firsthand how quickly he can stress a defense after his time at Duke. Now at Miami, Mensah arrives with a new system and a deeper supporting cast, giving Clemson another chance to see whether its back end can match up with a quarterback who has already shown he can make life difficult in Death Valley.
Tom Allens defense has spent the build-up searching for answers in recent film, trying to sort out the best way to handle Miamis passing game and the weapons around Mensah. Clemson does not just have to account for a quarterback in rhythm, it has to prepare for a different kind of challenge than the one it saw before, with Miamis receivers giving the offense more ways to attack every level of the field. For a secondary that has been under the microscope, this is the kind of test that can reveal a lot in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]