Miami vs Clemson: Four Questions For a Canes Win
What areas must the Miami Hurricanes definitively out play the Clemson Tigers to come out with a victory? After the last two weeks, Miami is in must-win mode, and Clemson is certainly a worthy opponent. Plus, it's not like the 2023 Miami football schedule is going to get any easier.
So, let's dive into the four most important questions, in order of least to most important.
4) Can Miami be consistent during all four quarters?
Miami has outperformed its last two opponents for long stretches, yet lost each game. Humongous moment swings take place because of a variety of mental errors, more than anything else.
For instance, the third quarter versus UNC is one Miami would like to forget. The Tar Heels won that quarter 21-0 over the Hurricanes. If Miami is even with UNC in the third quarter, it likely wins.
Against Clemson, there cannot be a similar pattern.
3) Miami's big-play passing attack starts fast?
Miami’s passing game still put up 393 yards and 4 touchdowns despite the UNC loss. Too much of it is because Miami needed to pass, and much of the yardage came with being behind by double digits.
This game against Clemson, Miami must be able to dictate the pace and throw when it wants. That being the case, there’s one prime point to discuss.
There will be a key moment, perhaps two, where Tyler Van Dyke will have an open receiver down the field. He must hit that player and strike fear into the Clemson defense thereafter. In short, a first quarter bomb for a score can change the game. Perhaps a second quarter pass would suffice.
Either way, Miami must drop the hammer when there’s a chance to score over the top. Clemson has a quality rushing defense by allowing 86.3 yards per game, good for No. 9 in the land. Miami needs its passing game to make noise.
2) Get after Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik?
Only a sophomore, Cade Klubnik is the definitive starting signal caller for Clemson. He’s seen two good defenses with Duke and Florida State, and Miami needs to make sure he sees the third talented defense and in full force.
Of course that starts with making him move his feet off his spot and lose sight of his intended targets; sacks are key. So will be hits on Klubnik, each time he releases the football.
In the words of the immortal former Raiders owner Al Davis:
1) Miami’s horrific turnover trend must end, but will it?
After nine turnovers during the past two contests, Miami now sits at No. 103 in the nation with a -3 turnover margin for the season.
That’s not going to cut it. Clemson has a hard-hitting defense, but it’s not the 2018 version of Clemson’s “D” that the Canes are facing. Miami has too much talent to continue to shoot itself in the foot, as our own Alex Donno wrote on Sunday.
If the Canes are even, or win the turnover battle, Miami defeats Clemson.
