I love this game early as Clemson is getting no respect against an over rated Miami team. Not much separates these two teams in my opinion. The rankings show Clemson's D down, but they have faced an average 36th ranked offense as opposed to MIami that has faced 65th. At home this team is going to be fired up on defense with an extra 5 days to prepare I think this is going to be a hard hitting low scoring game. Clemson is as good as it gets on the defensive line with arguably the best defensive line in the ACC and they'll face an average offensive line from Miami. Bowers and Branch on the outside will create pressure while DT Jarvis Jenkins returns at full strength. Harris forcing throws under pressure is never a good thing and when you have ball hawking safeties like DeAndre McDaniel and Rashard Hall back there you are in good shape. Miami's offense is ranked 96th in the country and it doesn't get easier facing this defense.
Miami's defense on the other hand has been dominant, but against who? Pitt has struggled against everyone this year so holding them to 3 points although really impressive would not be the same on the road at Clemson. Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper are lighting up the stat sheet. Against Auburn ranked 28th vs. the run Ellington rushed for 140 on 22 carries while Harper added 44. Both are capable receivers too with a combined 7 receptions for 96 yards in the hard fought loss on the road to Auburn. Kyle Parker is under rated and he's got targets along with emerging TE Dwayne Allen who will have a big game when Miami LB turn attention to the talented backs.
Again not much separates these teams and Miami is favored because they are Miami.. the public is jumping on them and the line is going the other way. They are 12-25-1 ATS in their last 38 as favorites while Clemson is 19-7 in their last 26 as under dogs and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 in conference play.
Yes I'm fading another heavy public heavy team in Florida State. The public loves State 71% are on the road team and the line opened at -7 and has dropped to -6.5 in some places as Vegas wants more and more action on these guys. I'm not this dumb.. and if you are reading this you are fortunate too, because Virginia is solid on defense they held USC on the road to just 17 points and this is a veteran secondary that won't allow Ponder to expose and run up the score. Top 15 NFL draft pick Dowling at CB will lock down one side of the field and DE Cam Johnson who has 3.5 sacks will coss some pressure on a Florida St team that is struggling to protect their QB. Ponder has dinked and dunked with just 6.7 yards per completion. They have a 28th ranked offense sure.. but who have they faced? An average 104th ranked defense.
Florida State's secondary might surprisingly get exposed despite Virginia having a solid run game with Perry Jones and Keith Payne who both are averaging over 6 yards per carry and combined for 135 yards vs. USC. The secondary features 4 new starters for FSU. Bottom line both teams will try to chew up clock giving us the advantage against the spread. Too many points for a Florida State team that is getting two much respect after beating two bad teams in BYU and Wake Forest.. BYU lost again last night against Utah State getting crushed.
