Clemson fans of all ages have good reason to be nervous about a game like this. We are so much better at home than we are on the road (as are most teams) and this is our second road game of the season.
This is a season saving game for Miami (probably career saving for Golden and staff). Win this game and The Canes are probably ranked and squarely in the hunt for the coastal division. Lose and the hot seat catches fire and the most they have left to play for is a Dec 28 bowl game against Rutgers or Houston.
We haven't faced a solid drop back QB in a long time. Frankly, the last time we played a QB this good was probably against Jameis Winston in 2013. It's unreal how long it has been since we've played a legit QB.
All of that said, we're going to house these guys by 3 TD's. Here's why -
[1] We will do whatever we want on offense. Our O line is as good as it's been in 20 years. Our receiver group is so deep that we probably have 2 or 3 future Sunday guys that don't start or aren't playing. We have two very good, very reliable tailbacks in Gallman and Brooks and Leggett is a mismatch against almost everyone we play. Miami has so much to worry about after watching our film. Total mismatch.
[2] We have a much, much better coaching staff. Period. We don't celebrate too long after wins and we don't lose our heads after losses. We move on. We're very good at refocusing ourselves and Dabo is a master at selling the team on the importance of the next game and how good the next team is.
[3] Don't look now but we probably once again have 6-8 NFL players that start for us on defense. Not saying they will all be drafted at the same time but Lawson, Wilkins, Watkins, Boulware, Kearse and Alexander are all NFL strong. Frankly, Dodd, Pagano and Tank could probably make a roster. Our D coordinator is a master at calling a game.
[4] Miami's home field advantage is hardly that. When your players are greeted by 35,000 empty seats and a banner flying overhead calling for your coach to be replaced it's not exactly like walking into Death Valley.
[5] We don't lose these games any more - not under Dabo. I expect us to come out and deliver major blows early in this game and for Miami to fold. Not a coincidence that we beat the teams that we're supposed to beat when we're the better team. We're just more focused.
Final Score - Clemson 44 Canes 23.
This is a season saving game for Miami (probably career saving for Golden and staff). Win this game and The Canes are probably ranked and squarely in the hunt for the coastal division. Lose and the hot seat catches fire and the most they have left to play for is a Dec 28 bowl game against Rutgers or Houston.
We haven't faced a solid drop back QB in a long time. Frankly, the last time we played a QB this good was probably against Jameis Winston in 2013. It's unreal how long it has been since we've played a legit QB.
All of that said, we're going to house these guys by 3 TD's. Here's why -
[1] We will do whatever we want on offense. Our O line is as good as it's been in 20 years. Our receiver group is so deep that we probably have 2 or 3 future Sunday guys that don't start or aren't playing. We have two very good, very reliable tailbacks in Gallman and Brooks and Leggett is a mismatch against almost everyone we play. Miami has so much to worry about after watching our film. Total mismatch.
[2] We have a much, much better coaching staff. Period. We don't celebrate too long after wins and we don't lose our heads after losses. We move on. We're very good at refocusing ourselves and Dabo is a master at selling the team on the importance of the next game and how good the next team is.
[3] Don't look now but we probably once again have 6-8 NFL players that start for us on defense. Not saying they will all be drafted at the same time but Lawson, Wilkins, Watkins, Boulware, Kearse and Alexander are all NFL strong. Frankly, Dodd, Pagano and Tank could probably make a roster. Our D coordinator is a master at calling a game.
[4] Miami's home field advantage is hardly that. When your players are greeted by 35,000 empty seats and a banner flying overhead calling for your coach to be replaced it's not exactly like walking into Death Valley.
[5] We don't lose these games any more - not under Dabo. I expect us to come out and deliver major blows early in this game and for Miami to fold. Not a coincidence that we beat the teams that we're supposed to beat when we're the better team. We're just more focused.
Final Score - Clemson 44 Canes 23.
