The Clemson Tigers could pose significant problems for the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday.
The Clemson Tigers have won three straight games to re-emerge as threats in the ACC, but this Saturday, they will face a different kind of test: the Miami Hurricanes.
Clemson has played one ranked opponent thus far in 2026, which came in Week 1 when it was annihilated by LSU.
The Tigers are a different team since then.
Clemson's defense has been nails the last few weeks, and it just put together a very impressive road victory over California in which it didn't allow an offensive touchdown.
Of course, Miami is a different animal.
The Hurricanes boast the top-ranked offense in the country. They have the leading Heisman Trophy quarterback in Darian Mensah. Malachi Toney has been the most productive wide receiver in the nation. The backfield is absolutely loaded.
Clearly, the Tigers will have their hands full.
The good news is that Clemson may have just what you need to take down the titan that is The U.
Why? Well, first of all, the Tigers have a terrific secondary, unlike any Miami has seen thus far.
Ashton Hampton is one of the top cornerbacks in the country and is establishing himself as a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Elliot Washington II has been very impressive as well and could ultimately find himself coming off the board on Day 2 in April.
Clemson also boasts a pair of good safeties in Corey Myrick and Jerome Carter III.
Not only that, but the Tigers have an underrated front seven that features defensive end Will Heldt and linebacker Sammy Brown, both of whom — like Hampton — could be first-round selections next spring.
And for as explosive as the Hurricanes' offense has looked, Miami hasn't really played a tough opponent yet. Wins over Stanford, Florida A&M, Wake Forest and Central Michigan do not exactly qualify as notable, and while averaging nearly 600 yards per game is eye-popping, we have to keep the level of competition in mind, as well.
Hampton will likely be shading Toney throughout most of the affair, and if there are moments where Hampton ends up somewhere else on the field, Washington is entirely capable. Heldt has been a menace in the pass rush, and Brown is a terrific all-around defender.
Miami is entering the game as a 16.5-point favorite over Clemson, this even though the matchup will take place at Memorial Stadium. I guess based on how terrible the Tigers looked in Week 1, that's somewhat understandable.
But I do genuinely feel Clemson has a shot of pulling off an upset here.
If the Tigers can muck up the game and put pressure on Mensah, they will have a chance. If it ends up in a shootout, though, it's curtains. I'm betting on Clemson avoiding the latter.
