Miami and Clemson have only met up twice as ACC rivals and both contests went to the wire. In 2004, the Canes blew a 17-3 halftime lead and lost 24-17 in overtime.
A year later in Death Valley, a defensive turnover in the third overtime sealed the 36-30 win, bringing UM to 1-1 against a new conference rival.
In the four years since the last showdown, a tale of two different programs. Miami rose to No. 3 in the nation over the next seven games, but stumbled down the stretch and was smoked by LSU in the Peach Bowl. Assistant coaches were sent packing and another underachieving year later, Larry Coker was asked to pack his bags.
Randy Shannon took over and is now in year three of his rebuilding project, while at Clemson it’s Dabo Sweeney who’s since taken over for Tommy Bowden – the long-time coach who seemed to always hover around those four or five-loss seasons, inexplicably losing games when the Tigers were hyped and expected to do more.
Underachieving seems to be the case at Clemson. It got Bowden fired midway through last season and Swinney needs a big win to shake up that 3-3 opening as a first-year head coach. The Tigers always seem to have the talent, but rarely live up to expectations… which makes this a scary game for Miami.
And so begins another weekend as a Canes fan.
Another opponent out to prove a point and turn around a season. A talented squad who hasn’t lived up to the hype, but could finally step up any given week. A defense that has been taking notes on Miami’s offense. (Look no further than Central Florida sacking Jacory Harris six times last weekend.)
It’s not a “pitfall” game like FAMU or UCF. Clemson can play. They simply haven’t a few times this season.
Focus. It’s a word that resonates as the Canes have lost it several times the past few seasons. When you go 19-19 over three years, you literally spent half those games watching Miami lose; many times again lesser competition. A lack of focus, execution and play calling to blame.
This year’s Canes are proving they can maintain focus. A late comeback at Florida State. Pouncing on and never letting up on Georgia Tech (until Randy called the dogs off). Responding against Oklahoma after getting drilled a week earlier at Virginia Tech. Two straight wins over lesser state rivals out to prove a point.
Safe to say these aren’t last year’s Canes.
Clemson is a different kind of monster, though. A defensive front four that will pressure Harris. A bruising ground game and special teams thanks to C.J. Spiller. The biggest liability freshman quarterback Kyle Parker, with six touchdowns and five interceptions on the year.
Rumors swirled about a Swinney meltdown on offensive coordinator Billy Napier early October, prompting a players only meeting. Days later, the 38-3 rout of Wake Forest.
Have the Tigers turned the corner? Or was then win over the Deacons a one-time spirited effort, prompting a return to normalcy this weekend at Land Shark?
Clemson will dictate their fate, but again the larger question surrounds Miami; which Canes team shows up this weekend?
Miami has to treat Clemson with the same mindset they brought against Oklahoma. This will be another fast, hard-swinging defense that will pressure Harris and will look to shut down the run. Da’Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp will pressure Harris while Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor are two good cover men.
Of course the Canes D should do the same to Parker as Miami returns several defensive starters on the line and in the secondary.
In the end, who flinches? Can Harris take advantage of man coverage, buying enough time behind his line to make plays? How will Miami run the ball with Graig Cooper, Javarris James and Mike James all banged up and returning from injury? Can fourth-stringer Damien Berry step up if need be? Running on Clemson isn’t the same as running on FAMU or UCF. The Canes must establish the run with one of these guys.
Which Spiller shows up? The one stifled at Georgia Tech, Boston College and Maryland or the back who shone against TCU and Wake? Now is not the week Miami needs to let a big time back put himself back on the map.
Defense, special teams and the ground game will determine this one. Both quarterbacks will feel the heat. Which line steps up, that dictates your outcome. On paper, Harris is your gamer and at 5-1, you don’t want to bet against J-12. That said, this is another physical defense. Mark Whipple better be on his game and Jeff Stoutland needs a better effort from his offensive line, that last week’s sack-frenzy.
Miami is still the team to beat, but Clemson is better than their 3-3 record. Shannon, Whipple and John Lovett know that and in the end, Harris should be the difference-maker.
The Call: Miami 24, Clemson 16