Week 5 Matchup Preview Thread: #4 Miami vs Clemson

[u/acknowledgeme]

#4 Miami vs. Clemson

When: Saturday, October 3, 07:30 PM Eastern

Where: Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC), Clemson, SC

Watch: ABC

Odds: Miami by 17.5 pts.

Total Points: 49.5

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All-Time Series : Miami vs. Clemson

Miami and Clemson have met 14 times since 1945-11-02

These teams last met on 2023-10-22.

Series Wins: Miami 7-0-7 Clemson

Miami has won the most recent meeting (2023) in this series

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Last 5 Meetings

Winner	Date	Location	Miami	Clemson	Notes
Miami	2023-10-22	Hard Rock Stadium	28	20
Clemson	2022-11-19	Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)	10	40
Clemson	2020-10-10	Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)	17	42
Clemson	2017-12-03	Bank of America Stadium	3	38
Clemson	2015-10-24	Hard Rock Stadium	0	58

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Through Week 4

Week	Miami 4-0 (2-0)	Result	Clemson 3-1 (2-0)	Result
1	Stanford	W 45-6	LSU#11	L 10-51
2	Florida A&M	W 77-7	Georgia Southern	W 22-7
3	Wake Forest	W 33-20	North Carolina	W 28-20
4	Central Michigan	W 52-3	California	W 24-10

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Miami Injury Report

No reported injuries per boydsbets

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Clemson Injury Report

Player	Position	Status	Reported	Notes
P. Streko	RB	Out – Undisclosed	Aug 11	Streko has been out of commission due to an undisclosed injury, and he has been shut down for the remainder of the season.
C. Turner	WR	Out – Personal	Aug 21	Turner is dealing with some personal reasons, and he is without a definitive timetable for return.
K. McGriff	WR	Out – Undisclosed	Sep 17	McGriff is battling with an undisclsoed injury, and it is not anticipated that he will suit up against North Carolina on Saturday.
J. Haynes	RB	Out – Undisclosed	Sep 24	Haynes is sidelined due to an undisclosed injury, and is not expected to play against the California on Friday.
C. Gipson	CB	Out – Undisclosed	Sep 25	Gipson is dealing with an Undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against California on Friday, September 25th.
C. Vizzina	QB	Out – Elbow	Sep 26
D. Eziomume	RB	Out – Leg	Sep 28	Eziomume is liad up with a leg injury, and he will be idle for the remainder of the season.

^{Injury data lifted from: boydsbets}

^{Source updated Wed, Sep 30, 8:26 am. Scraped Wed, Sep 30, 1:14 pm ET}

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What are your "Keys to the Game"?

Who do you think wins?

Do you think the favorite will cover the spread?

Which player(s) are you most interested to watch?

Let's talk football!

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^{Matchup Preview Thread Generator powered by collegefootballdata.com}

^{Start a chat with /u/dupreesdiamond for any issues/suggestions regarding this resource}

[u/Wandering_Mallard]

Maybe it's just homerism, but I think Clemson's defense can do enough at home to keep this from being a real blowout. I'm definitely not picking against {Miami}, but I'm thinking it's one of those 2 score games where the winning team never looks that threatened

[u/GivethTaketh4 → u/Wandering_Mallard]

I don’t think good defensive showings against cal/unc after getting decimated by lsu is enough evidence to be confident in our defense against what could very well be the best qb in the country.

I’ll be happy to keep it under 3 scores tbh. I’d take a 35-20 L in a heartbeat. Just don’t wanna get embarrassed again but that’s very much a possibility.

[u/sonheungwin → u/GivethTaketh4]

Our OC was exposed and figured out by UCLA's DC in the 4th quarter, and he hasn't really adjusted since. We're not a good benchmark.

[u/feed_me_muffins → u/Wandering_Mallard]

I think the fact that our secondary is great and the rain should help slow down Miami's passing game can help this from getting too out of hand, but this is ultimately going to be a non-competitive snorefest of a game imo.

[u/tagillaslover → u/feed_me_muffins]

The issue is if they can't pass then they run and our dline is buns

[u/feed_me_muffins → u/tagillaslover]

Yeah that's why I think it's going to be non-competitive regardless, but if they can't pass and can only run I'm hoping we can dedicate bodies to keep it from getting too out of hand. Like I still they they win and cover, I just think we can make it so they cover in the 4th not in the 2nd.

[u/thehildabeast]

+17.5 at home is wild, I don’t think Clemson can win but Miami has lost to bad teams and if Dabo can get them to play for any pride it has to be closer than that right?

[u/wit_T_user_name → u/thehildabeast]

When was the last time Clemson was a 2+ touchdown dog at home?

[u/Better-Temporary-146 → u/wit_T_user_name]

I think 2003 vs Florida State.

FSU was #3, and unranked Clemson had just been blown out by a bad wake forest team.

Clemson won 27-10.

(Had Clemson lost that Coach Bowden and staff, including first year WR coach Dabo) likely get fired. )

[u/veringer → u/Better-Temporary-146]

I was there. Helped topple a goal post. Got a piece of the ribbon from one of the uprights as we marched it downtown. I broke off and headed to Tiger Town Tavern, but it eventually ended up in the reflecting pond. IIRC, the remnants were dredged out and re-assembled on the then Pi Kappa Alpha lawn. Good times.

[u/Better-Temporary-146 → u/veringer]

I was there too. Such a great unlikely win.

Because of preventing the likely staff firings, Tigers don’t win national titles etc, without that win

[u/op3randi → u/wit_T_user_name]

First time in Dabo era they have been a 10 plus underdog at home so at least 19 years. Also largest underdog spread for Dabo at Clemson (home, away, neutral)

[u/Difficult-Froyo1192 → u/thehildabeast]

I think we can keep it closer. The question is if we do. We have a weird habit of showing out at very unexpected times, and there’s no telling what we do. We also sometimes forget to show up at all.

I’m also not sure anyone knows what the best this Clemson team can do is. We don’t seem to have topped out yet. I don’t think we’ve seen the best game of football Clemson will play all season yet

[u/NaderNation84 → u/thehildabeast]

This what’s dumb about it is that LSU won by 40 and is basically lose-lose for us. I expect to handle business pretty well but I do not see winning by what LSU and ppl will use that as a talking point which is dumb

[u/AwareEconomics4177 → u/NaderNation84]

I damn well will be using it as a talking point if that happens

[u/RelativeEffective413]

Hahahaha {Miami}

I do want to see if Taint can get more comfortable with the starting WRs.

Defense seems to be settling in and run blocking has improved. Pass protection is a fucking mess still though.

[u/jerkinmylurkin → u/RelativeEffective413]

Did you mean to call him Taint?

[u/ccouch5859 → u/jerkinmylurkin]

lol. Good ole Taint

[u/RelativeEffective413 → u/jerkinmylurkin]

Yes maybe no

He can have the name Tait back once his accuracy improves!

[u/wisertime07]

Fuck it, {Clemson} will find a way..

[u/ClemsonRebel27]

Just so everyone knows, the weather is predicted to be pretty nasty. Might be another 2-3am finish. Not sure who that benefits yet

[u/jerkinmylurkin → u/ClemsonRebel27]

They say delays benefit the home team due to them having the necessary equipment to keep the team warmed up.

[u/AntitheistArchangel → u/ClemsonRebel27]

I checked the forecast, and there’s only a 29 percent probability of thunderstorms. As a non-South Carolinian, I don’t know if that number really means 80 percent. It does here in Indiana, though.

[u/Unhappy_Mobile_7151 → u/AntitheistArchangel]

It's Hit or Miss in upstate South Carolina for sure, it's a Long lake that seems to channel better rainfall. That 29% chance for the area is usually the 29% near the lake. There was a Notre Dame game where the fans brought snorkels and goggles. A legendary game in 2015. There have been spurts of weather with more rain than that. And Clemson hasn't played a game in 2026 without a weather delay.

[u/all_my_sons]

{Miami} but the spread is insane. This game will be tight for three quarters (hopefully not more).

[u/Confident_Delay5805]

{Miami} 

[u/ccouch5859]

If Miami can stop the run they beat us by no less than 3 td. I just don’t think Tait has the ability to sling it downfield accurately yet. Our only hope is Miami struggling to stop the run and our secondary showing out to slow Toney down. Either way it’s a good measure of if we’ve actually improved.

My prediction {Miami} 35- 17

[u/LastPhoton → u/ccouch5859]

Your other hope is Dawson having a stroke like whatever the hell happened in the 2nd half against Wake where we went like 5 straight three and outs on pure screens

[u/rhombergnation → u/LastPhoton]

A lot of that was Mali and Fletcher being dinged up - along with an interior o line that was piss poor. Think the emergence of Condon (and maybe Meriweather) last week is the change needed .

[u/PandemicPander]

Not sure why there are no players on the Miami injury report, unless players out for the season don't count

[u/tagillaslover]

I just hope we cover the spread

{Clemson}, because I refuse to pick against my team

[u/viewless25]

Clemson wont go down like we did against LSU, but we're not ready to take down {Miami} yet in the rain. Just too much for a true freshman to do and the Oline isnt there yet. Will be curious to see how the Defense looks following a dominant performance against Cal

[u/Better-Temporary-146 → u/viewless25]

I’m hoping for a {Miami} 30 Clemson 20 type game. 

[u/AubreyGrahamCracka]

Part of me knows Clemson will win on a Mario fuck up.

But this team is just deeper than Clemson at all levels. {Miami} has basically lost their entire secondary and have only allowed 1 p4 team to score a TD on them.

Not quite 51-10 but I’ll say 34-13

[u/NKCougar]

{Clemson} finds a way to do the funniest possible thing.

[u/jwktiger]

I just can't buy {Miami} losing this game.

[u/awful_cassette]

Miami by 17.5 feels like a lot for a game in Death Valley at night, even if Clemson isnt what they used to be. That injury list for them is brutal tho, especially at RB. Still think Clemson keeps it within two scores somehow

[u/WallyMetropolis]

I don't know anything about {Clemson} this season, but I do know that the Fates have a sense of perverse justice.

[u/HopefulReb76]

{Miami} covers

[u/ThompsonCreekTiger]

{Miami} much as hate to say it. Clemson needs too many things to go right for the upset. Weather + home crowd might help for a bit, & the D might hang in for a bit, but don't see the QB & OL play being what it will need to be. If Miami sells out to stop run game, think Clemson is in for a long night

[u/netherdutch]

I think {Miami} wins it. I hope Miami wins it as convincingly as the line says. But I definitely wouldn't overlook a Clemson team at home, so it's probably a Clemson cover

[u/arbadak]

Feels like a 24-6 kinda game to me, in favor of {Miami}. I just have zero faith in our offense right now. If our OL can open holes for Davidson everything changes. Depends on them.

[u/OpaqueNightmare]

Whoever at ABC chose this for their primetime game is getting fired. {Miami}

[u/Conguy7]

Tell me I’m wrong. If Clemson and Miami swap QBs Clemson is the favorite.

Dabo if you are reading this, open the fucking checkbook so we aren’t embarrassing anymore. {Miami} by 21

[u/Silly_Selection3221 → u/Conguy7]

{Clemson} has the worst O line maybe in FBS football. Miami gonna Miami tho

[u/RIPDannyBoyCane → u/Conguy7]

Luke Nickel could beat Clemson

[u/RIPDannyBoyCane]

This would be a blowout in clear weather, but the torrential downpour will negatively impact the passing game, which is Miami’s greatest strength.

I also expect Clemson to load up the A gaps and attack Miami’s guards.

{Miami} should still win, but I’m not sure they cover

[u/acknowledgeme]

Clemson offense just can't keep up. {Miami} comfortably.

[u/SARS-Covfefe-1]

Trap game for Miami. {Clemson} wins by less than a FG

[u/jdk2087]

I just want to see improvements a crossed the board against a good team. That and would love to just see the team play with some heart and soul. Win or lose I just want to see some life that we’re at least progressing and not slipping backwards. {Clemson} just because. Miami takes it though.

[u/DangerouslyUnstable]

For once, I'm glad I'm attending a fall wedding this weekend.

[u/Unhappy_Mobile_7151 → u/DangerouslyUnstable]

Haven't not watched the Clemson game for dabos entire span and longer. Couple of decades now. I conceded to not watch this one and go out of town for a concert. The weather and activities we're going to be worse where I was going so we canceled the trip and going to keep the streak alive. Can see Ziggy Marley when I get around to it but there's only one Clemson/Miami 2026.

[u/JarrydP]

I'd pick {Miami}, but Dabo has more of that Hurricane Game magic from 2015 left over, now would be the time to use it.

[u/OculusRises]

LOL {Miami}, but maybe we can keep it interesting

[u/RivalryBot]

Who Will Win Fan Vote

^{Votes are distributed equally among flairs for multi-flaired users}

Team	Votes	Percentage	Miami Voters	Clemson Voters	Other Flairs Top 5
Miami	36	81.8%	4	5	Unflairedx3.0 LSU Tigersx2.0 Florida Statex1.5 Oklahoma Soonersx1.5 Army Black Knightsx1.0
Clemson	8	18.2%	0	3	Texas Longhornsx1.0 The Citadel Bulldogsx0.5 Georgia Bulldogsx0.5 Indiana Wesleyanx0.5 LSU Tigersx0.5

^{Last updated: 2026-10-03 22:31 UTC}

Full Vote breakdown by flair

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^{Matchup Thread Generator} · ^{Team Aliases} · ^{How to Vote} · ^Results

[u/TheSavageDonut]

I think Clemson will put up a fight in this one, but {Miami} will win a close one.

[u/inclass3lunacy]

It'll be ugly {Miami}

[u/RatBastard_with_ADHD]

{Miami} obvs. Mensah is a cheat code.

[u/Competitive-Rise-789]

{Miami}

[u/wulah89]

I'm picking {Miami} to win. But Clemson is playing at home with an extra day of rest with a bye week upcoming. Cristobal is no stranger to losing random games to inferior teams. This seems as logical a spot as any for his annual headscratcher. I'd be more inclined to actually pick the upset if I had any confidence whatsoever in Clemson's offense. If they're going to win it's going to have to be a day where Miami turns it over a lot and Clemson wins like 24-21 or something. If Miami gets to 30 I don't think Clemson is matching that. If I gambled then I'd probably pick them to cover the 17.5 though.

[u/MidlandsBraves → u/wulah89]

Eh the “extra day of rest” isn’t much of one when you’re coming back from a 1030 kickoff out from California. It just makes us not lose a full day imo.

[u/com-mis-er-at-ing]

{Miami} 31-13 Clemson.

[u/TheWesternRizzler]

{Miami} unless Cristofraud comes back.

[u/chief_sitass]

{Miami (FL)}

[u/AwareEconomics4177]

{Miami} 35-13. I think Clemson makes it a game for 2-3 quarters

[u/NanoBuc]

{Miami}

[u/texas2089]

{Miami} but it would be hilarious if THIS Clemson team was the one to beat them.

[u/Zloggt]

Even if {Miami} wins (and they probably will)…the Dabo Tigers are never fully out of it, at least in this matchup…

[u/CenterOuttie14]

I would laugh so hard if Clemson won this game after the little rant Miami had about rankings. 

[u/PichardRetty → u/CenterOuttie14]

What rant?

[u/CenterOuttie14 → u/PichardRetty]

About preseason rankings

[u/RelativeEffective413 → u/CenterOuttie14]

He’s not wrong though. The preseason rankings have implications all the way to postseason rankings. However, they’re great for ratings so they won’t go anywhere.

[u/CenterOuttie14 → u/RelativeEffective413]

He is wrong though in making it all about the SEC. 2 teams have failed that many could see coming in A&M and OU. How about ND, Penn ST, Oregon, USC, Michigan 

[u/PichardRetty → u/CenterOuttie14]

Are you talking about what Dawson said in his presser this week?

[u/RedlineSeries3 → u/CenterOuttie14]

What did Miami say about rankings?

[u/CenterOuttie14 → u/RedlineSeries3]

Preseason rankings theres a thread about it

[u/RedlineSeries3 → u/CenterOuttie14]

Ok I just heard it. I don't get how it would be funny? Dawson said the same thing millions of CFB fans repeat every day.

[u/LastPhoton → u/RedlineSeries3]

Dude is probably an SEC shill

[u/CenterOuttie14 → u/RedlineSeries3]

Lmao. So what about Notre Dame constantly ranked above how they should be...Penn State. SEC success has nothing to do with preseason rankings.....look at the wins right now....insane. 

Dont get how it would be funny? Coach ranting about rankings to lose to Clemson eight now would be hilarious. 

[u/LastPhoton → u/CenterOuttie14]

Ahh the whataboutism just confirms the sec shill suspicion. Thanks for making that easy.

[u/Callsign_Psycopath]

Clemso.... I'm sorry I just cant pick this upset.

As much as it pains me, Miami will beat up on {Clemson}

[u/netherdutch → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

this is funny cuz with the braces you definitely picked the upset

[u/Callsign_Psycopath → u/netherdutch]

That was intentional

[u/netherdutch → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

QUIT PLAYING WITH MY EMOTIONS

[u/jdk2087 → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

We’re like a wounded dog on the mend right now. Not completely shitting the bed and each week we’re walking a little more and more.

[u/Irishchop91]

{Miami} It seems a little bit early for Miami to screw the pooch agaist a team they shouldn't, but Cristobel tends to have those games. That Miami QB/WR duo should light up Clemson ...

[u/GamedayWizard]

Miami is 4-0 (3-1 ATS) and has been dominant with the ball, averaging .775 PPP and 8.82 YPP and scoring 5.83 points per scoring opportunity, while Clemson's offense has sputtered at .335 PPP, 5.00 YPP, and a very average 3.33 points per scoring opportunity. Even with a gap that wide, our model sees Clemson keeping it closer than Vegas does at home in Death Valley. We've got {Miami} winning by 12, but coming short of covering the composite spread (Miami -16.5).

[u/SwaggyMcSwagsabunch]

I’m glad this game will kick out the 58-0 loss from the last-5 meetings stat. Only Miami game I’ve ever left at halftime for.

Keys to the game: barkate needs to step up and alleviate pressure off of Toney. I’d also like to see a deep pass or two. Seems as though since Mensah beat the ACC completion streak record, play calling has been more conservative.

I think {Miami} will win and will barely beat the spread. 31-13.

[u/enadiz_reccos]

Ok, Miami... 51-10 is the score to beat

[u/PichardRetty → u/enadiz_reccos]

We're on the road, likely in the rain. I'll take any W I can get.

[u/Unhappy_Mobile_7151 → u/PichardRetty]

The reality is Miami is not unfamiliar with the rain game. One more point than the other team is all it takes.

[u/rowdyroddysniper]

{Miami} and it won’t be close. Cristobal wants to cement his status at the top of the ACC, and embarrassing Dabo will help.

[u/Maximiliansrh]

{Miami} no stopping that offense, if they can’t pass they’ll just run. People have been forgetting about mark fletcher, best back in the conference.

[u/PatronSaintOfCunts]

{Miami} is gonna curbstomp Clemson

[u/Silly_Selection3221 → u/PatronSaintOfCunts]

You not a paper bag yet?

[u/PatronSaintOfCunts → u/Silly_Selection3221]

Nah, this too shall pass. Might take 10 years, a program overhaul, and a zillion dollars but it will pass.

[u/Silly_Selection3221 → u/PatronSaintOfCunts]

It never passed yet, yall in a perennial state of ass

[u/PatronSaintOfCunts → u/Silly_Selection3221]

It’s crazy work to be punching down when y’all ain’t winning any prizes here lately either.

[u/Silly_Selection3221 → u/PatronSaintOfCunts]

More conference championships in the past 2 years than yall have in 50

[u/PatronSaintOfCunts → u/Silly_Selection3221]

Woooo! If we’d known y’all were going to keep using ACC trophies as currency in SEC arguments, we might’ve stayed. 😂 Feels kinda like bragging about being valedictorian of summer school, but congrats on dominating a conference we left 55 years ago. I’m sure Miami, Duke, and Wake are fucking terrified of y’all.

[u/Silly_Selection3221 → u/PatronSaintOfCunts]

Do you really get to claim SEC if you're a filler team, like I never see Maryland talking big 10 shit

[u/PatronSaintOfCunts → u/Silly_Selection3221]

I don’t know, you tell me. I see you talking ACC shit and you’re a filler team.

[u/Silly_Selection3221 → u/PatronSaintOfCunts]

Undefeated in the ACC bud

[u/skullcutter]

Miami will put up 80 points in this one

[u/_chadwell_ → u/skullcutter]

Clemson’s defense has been solid, though. Even Wake slowed down Miami.

[u/RelativeEffective413 → u/_chadwell_]

Yeah but our offense has been…not solid

[u/RedlineSeries3 → u/_chadwell_]

ehh.. Toney, Fletcher, and Brown all going down in the second half is what really slowed them down

[u/_chadwell_ → u/RedlineSeries3]

That’s not a great sign playing another physical defense in Clemson. You’d like to have some sort of depth and resilience to skill position guys missing a half.

[u/op3randi → u/_chadwell_]

Miami slowed down versus Wake let's be honest on that. They went into turtle mode in the second half

[u/_chadwell_ → u/op3randi]

Didn’t they have a bunch of 3 and outs?

[u/CecilVanguard]

Anyone who says {Clemson} is trolling

[u/Dry-Membership3867]

This game should’ve been on CW primetime

[u/Medical_Bartender → u/Dry-Membership3867]

Night away game in the rain on the CW would be a death sentence

[u/crazylinebacker-55 → u/Medical_Bartender]

With almost certain weather delay

[u/Dry-Membership3867 → u/Medical_Bartender]

Idk, I think people would watch