(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
There's something about the tail end of unnecessarily long road trips that just have a way of firing you up, isn't there?
No? Well, maybe it's just me then, but after a busy week left me wondering if I could carve out time to write up another of my weekly masterpieces, I was given this burst of energy.
An energy that I'd be proud to spend giving a little more publicity to some of the key match-ups that will be on display Saturday afternoon.
The now officially top ten Miami team will have their hands full with a dynamic Clemson team, on both sides of the ball.
1. The Line Needs To Step Up Big
Last week against UCF, the Miami line let up six sacks. This week, Miami's offensive line will be taking on perhaps the best defensive end tandem in all the country. Da'Quan Bowers, just a sophomore, is turning into a complete monster, and he's one hell of a compliment to senior Ricky Sapp.
Sapp is looking like a first round pick in next April's draft, and how he does against Miami's Jason Fox will be a big measuring stick. Fox has had some tremendous games this year, especially against Oklahoma, and he'll have to be dominant if they want to keep Clemson out of Jacory's face. Matt Pipho needs to return to Georgia Tech form really quick as well if he doesn't want to see the pine.
2. Squash the Big Plays
15 yards? 20 yards? Sign me up. The Hurricanes defense is good enough that bursts of yardage like that will not kill them, but if they're letting C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford rip off 40-50 yarders at will, they're in serious trouble. I know what you're thinking, "thanks John Madden, maybe they should score more points than the Tigers, too."
My issue with the big plays is that I'm afraid if the 'Canes fall behind; their defense will lose focus real quick. With what happened against VT, a team that put up points quickly against Miami, though in a different way, it's a real worry that the Hurricanes might not have the counter-punch ready to go before Clemson gets a big lead.
3. Put the Ball in Kyle Parker's Hands
Why? Because there's a pretty good chance he'll respond by putting it in yours. Five INT in 6 games, and an overall completion percentage under 50 percentage isn't exactly what you're looking for from your starting quarterback. Parker may not be the biggest guy, but he is a good athlete with a strong enough arm to make plays, he just hasn't developed the accuracy so early in his young career.
He'll be relying heavily on his line to give him time to throw and his safety valve C.J. Spiller. If Miami can take away Spiller in the short dump offs, and also create pressure on Parker, they should be in for a walk on that side of the ball. Parker may be an All American on the baseball field, but he's not quite there yet on the gridiron.
That's it for me, sorry for the shortened version today, enjoy the game. Oh, and keep an eye out for a special treat later on this weekend.
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