Both the Miami Hurricanes and the Clemson Tigers are both undefeated, but after Saturday night, that will only be true for one of these teams.
One of the only normal things about the year 2020 is that the Clemson Tigers are still one of the top football programs in the country and are still one of the favorites to not only make the College Football Playoff but to win a national title, which would be their third in five years. And the start to Clemson’s season is about as good as they could ask for. The Tigers have started the season 3-0 and have handled every opponent they have faced pretty easily.
After opening up the season with a road victory over Wake Forest, the Tigers followed it up with a 49 to 0 win over The Citadel. And then last week, in a rematch of the 2019 ACC Championship game, the Tigers defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 41 to 23. And unless you’ve been living under a rock, the Tigers are led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is off to a hot start, throwing for nearly 850 yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing zero interceptions and adding another three scores on the ground.
2020 is also seeing the resurgence of the Miami Hurricanes, something we see from time to time, so I guess that is something else that is normal with 2020. The Hurricanes have had a more exciting start to their season with their three wins. Following their season-opening win over UAB, Miami went on the road and handled their business against Louisville in the first game of 2020 between two ranked opponents. And in their last game, Miami destroyed in-state rival Florida State.
One big attribute to the Hurricanes’ impressive start is that of the play of transfer quarterback D’Eriq King. Just like his opponent, King also has not thrown an interception this season and has scored seven total touchdowns, and after this game, will eclipse over 1,00 yards of total offense. King’s play has lifted the Hurricane offense, which is one of the nation’s best-run teams, averaging over 232 yards per game.
For 2020, the ACC has done away with divisions (see I knew we would get to something about 2020 that was unusual), meaning no matter who wins this game, there is still a good chance the other could still win the ACC, in what would most likely be a rematch of this Saturday’s game. Both defenses are stingy and both offenses are balanced, led by great quarterback play and dominating run games. But something has to give.
Can the Tigers stand tall and show that the throne is still theirs? Or will the Hurricanes make a claim that there is a new sheriff in town?
Here’s how to watch and bet on the Miami vs. Clemson game
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Clemson, South Carolina
- Stadium: Memorial Stadium
- TV Info: ABC
- Odds: Clemson -14, O/U 63
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: I think this game will be closer than what most think. Clemson is the clear favorite and have every right to be, but the Hurricanes should not be taken lightly. While both defenses are among the best in the country, both offenses are going to test them in both the pass and the run game. This game will come down to the two quarterbacks and the slight edge, and the obvious one is going to Lawrence. Miami keeps it close but a late touchdown is too much for the Hurricanes to overcome as Clemson stays undefeated and hands Miami their first loss on the season.
Score: Clemson 38, Miami 27.
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