Clemson vs Miami: Keys to victory for 2017 ACC Championship

Saturday night’s Clemson vs Miami ACC Championship Game will have serious College Football Playoff implications.

For both Clemson and Miami, Saturday night’s ACC Championship game could be the first step towards a spot in the College Football Playoff and a shot at the national title.

But both the Tigers and Hurricanes must first focus on one another before looking ahead.

Clemson (11-1) is the defending national champion and has won back-to-back ACC titles, including a win in the championship game over Virginia Tech last season. The Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney used that victory as a springboard to downing both Ohio State and Alabama in the CFP to claim the big trophy.

Miami (10-1) has returned to the national spotlight under Mark Richt, as the Hurricanes won their first 10 games before falling to Pittsburgh this past Friday.

Most expected Clemson to take a step back after Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams, Wayne Gallman and a host of others departed. But behind Kelly Bryant, a loaded backfield and a defense that is one of the best in the country, the Tigers are right back where they want to be.

The same can be said for Miami, as many felt they were at least a year away from competing for the ACC title with a roster full of youngster. Richt, though, put all the right pieces in play and has them competing once again.

Keys to Victory

The Clemson defense is allowing just 13.6 points per game and 283 yards of total offense, numbers that place them among the best in the country. Opposing teams average just 113.6 yards on the ground against the Tiger front-line, a number that will be key when Miami steps on the field.

The Hurricanes lost their starting running back earlier in the year, but Travis Homer has stepped right in. Homer, though, and the rest of his backfield mates were silenced vs. Pittsburgh and you can bet the Clemson coaching staff will be broken that film down play-by-play to see what the Panthers did right.

Homer, who has 861 yards rushing and seven touchdowns will need the “good” Malik Rosier back. Rosier has tossed 25 touchdown passes and nine interceptions, throwing for 2,807 yards.

Rosier, a junior, was held to 187 yards last week and tossed three interceptions in a win over Virginia Tech. He’s also failed to go over 210 yards in each of the last four games for Miami after back-to-back 300-yard showings.

Clemson counters Homer with Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster. Etienne, a true freshman, leads the team with 720 yards and has scored 12 times, with Feaster adding 637 more yards and six touchdowns.

But for all the good Etienne and Feaster have done, the Tiger offense clicks with Bryant and how he is doing. When the quarterback was knocked out vs. Syracuse, Clemson suffered its only loss this season.

Since returning from his ankle and concussion issues, Bryant has led the Tigers to five consecutive wins, including a 38-31 triumph over NC State and a 34-10 victory vs. South Carolina last week. He has thrown for 2,426 yards with 12 touchdowns, adding 10 more scores on the ground.

Bryant will be going up against a Miami secondary allowing 210 yards in the air and should find room with Etienne and Feaster vs. a unit allowing 152.4 yards rushing.

Prediction

Despite the loss to Pitt, Miami has a great shot at making the CFP if they can end the ACC run of Clemson. The league might not be the best or deepest in the country, but with two lead horses, they are likely deserving of one of the four bids for the playoffs.

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Look for the Hurricanes to try and bother Bryant and force turnovers to create a short playing field for Rosier. If Clemson is able to find holes in the defense of “The U,” though, it could be a long night as Bryant has played well when given time to evaluate and make plays with both his arm to Deon Cain and Hunter Renfrow, along with his legs.

Prediction: Clemson 35, Miami 21