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Clemson vs. Miami, ACC Championship Game preview, predictions, viewing info

By Nathaniel Reeves

SYRACUSE, NY - OCTOBER 13: Austin Bryant #7 of the Clemson Tigers participates in warm ups before the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on October 13, 2017 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Clemson 27-24. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - OCTOBER 13: Austin Bryant #7 of the Clemson Tigers participates in warm ups before the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on October 13, 2017 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Clemson 27-24. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 11: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 11: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Keys for Clemson 

The Tigers should be able to hold off the Miami offense if they avoid giving the Hurricanes any short fields due to turnovers. That means Clemson will rely heavily on a running game that has quietly been outstanding all season long.

Nobody was quite sure what to expect from a Clemson ground attack that lost nearly 1,800 combined yards from Deshaun Watson and Wayne Gallman over the offseason, but a pair of underclassmen have stepped up in a big way. True freshman Travis Etienne is an emerging star with 97 carries for 720 yards and 12 touchdowns, while sophomore Tavien Feaster is also turning in a solid campaign with 637 yards on 99 attempts.

Both will need to be at their best on Saturday, as Miami has a number of game-wreckers up front, including Trent Harris and RJ McIntosh. Bryant can also do some major damage with his legs, which might be necessary given how dangerous it is to throw against the Hurricanes secondary.

Clemson’s ultra-talented defense has lived up to the hype with 13.6 points per game allowed and could turn in a dominant performance if Miami doesn’t show some major improvement offensively. The Tigers have too many options up front for most teams to handle, with Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Dorian O’Daniel and Christian Wilkins all registering at least 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

That’s going to make life difficult for Homer and Rosier, which could ultimately end up being the difference in the game. If the Hurricanes are unable to bring out the turnover chain on Saturday, Clemson’s explosive backfield will prove to have too much firepower to keep up with.

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