Read Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan’s argument about which game they believe are the best of the upcoming weekend.
A big part of me does not want to pick an ACC football game as the best of the weekend. An even bigger part of me does not want to choose a game that appears very lopsided on paper (or on a computer screen… let’s face it, the clock is ticking on the whole “paper” metaphor thing). The biggest part of me does not want to pick a game that includes the Clemson Tigers, a team that seems to always generate buzz just so the fall from grace hurts so much more.
Despite those obvious drawbacks, I believe the best game of THIS weekend happens in Miami when the eighth ranked Hurricanes play host to the Clemson Tigers.
Clemson still has a chance to win the Atlantic Division in the ACC. It seems hard to believe, but the math is clear. Clemson trails Boston College by a half-game in the ACC Atlantic division right now. And, the teams that bookend Clemson in the ACC Atlantic division are the teams Clemson has beaten and owns a tie break over, Wake Forest (a 38-3 cathartic stomping last weekend) and Boston College. The remaining teams in the division – North Carolina State, Florida State, and Maryland – have a combined one conference win. Obviously that is not very good. While anything can and seems to happen in the ACC, Clemson is in the ideal position to play its way into the ACC championship game. A win over Miami certainly helps the team’s cause.
Even though Miami is playing this game at home, the program historically has very little home field advantage. The school has a lot of fans across the country because of the national exposure the program has gotten from its dominant seasons in the 1980s, but fans in Miami have not turned out in droves for the team. Therefore the home crowd may not become a big factor in rattling the Tigers’ young starting quarterback.
Speaking of which, just as both teams are playing for a common goal (the ACC championship game appearance), both teams share many similar traits. For example, both teams have young quarterbacks. Clemson’s redshirt freshman starter, Kyle Parker, has shown grit, toughness, and some leadership – but has failed in intense situations when trying to lead his team back in the waning moments against Georgia Tech. Miami’s true sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris has shown athleticism, a strong arm, and precision in execution – but failed on the road against Virginia Tech to mount anything resembling a pulse under center.
Both teams also have tough defenses. Clemson allows an ACC second best 270.2 yards per game while Miami allows a fourth best 305.7 yards per game. Clemson also leads the ACC with a total of 10 interceptions as a team. Miami has a league low three team interceptions. It appears, from the statistics at least, that if any team has a better shot at overcoming defensive pressure it is Clemson’s offense.
Both teams blitz a lot on defense, and both teams have the opportunity to force the opposing offense’s quarterback to make the plays necessary to win the game, regardless of team interceptions. The defenses are good, perhaps even SEC caliber. The defenses will set the tone for what is sure to be a low scoring game.
So, when two teams are entering a game that is expected to be low scoring, what is often the deciding factor? Good job, you guessed it – special teams. No program in the ACC has a more “special” player than Clemson running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller leads the league with three special teams returns for touchdowns already this season… two kick offs and one punt return. Spiller may be the deciding factor in this game.
This game is interesting because, as important as it is to both teams involved, it is also an even match up on offense and defense. Clemson is 2-2 in the division and Miami is 2-1. Both teams need to win to gain some separation in their division and take command on their own destiny so the teams may be able to meet again in Tampa this December. If you are a football fan that likes good defense, big plays, and surprising endings… this is the best game of THIS weekend.
Posted by Sports Geek 
