Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday that Saturday’s home game against No. 4 Miami will draw extra attention as the Tigers try to prove they have recovered from a lopsided season-opening loss.
“It’s a big one. … This one will obviously get a lot of talk, a lot of hype, all of that stuff, because it’s a night game in the Valley, it’s Clemson vs. Miami and this team was in the national title game last year,” Swinney said.
The Hurricanes (4-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) visit Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ABC will broadcast the matchup.
Miami reached the national championship game last season before losing 27-21 to Indiana. The Hurricanes have opened 2026 by outscoring opponents 207-36.
Clemson (3-1, 2-0) fell 51-10 at LSU in Week 1, then won three straight against Georgia Southern, North Carolina and California.
Both teams remain unbeaten in league play. The winner will take an early step toward the top of the ACC standings.
Swinney has not downplayed the challenge. He has called Miami a “monster” and said the Hurricanes may be the best team in the country.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah has completed 94 of 106 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns with no interceptions. His 88.7% completion rate ranks among the national leaders.
The Hurricanes average 51.8 points per game, third in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Wide receiver Malachi Toney has 564 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Oddsmakers have installed Miami as a 16.5- to 17.5-point favorite on the road, an unusual position for a visitor in Death Valley.
Swinney said the Tigers cannot dwell on the point spread. He told reporters they need only watch film of Miami to find motivation.
“We’ll have to play, by far, our best game to have a chance to beat those guys,” Swinney said.
The all-time series is tied 7-7. Miami has not won at Clemson since 2010. The Tigers beat the Hurricanes 40-10 in their last meeting at Memorial Stadium in 2022. Miami won the most recent game, 28-20 in 2023 in Florida.
Clemson has leaned on its running game during the three-game winning streak. Gideon Davidson has rushed for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds has started since the early weeks of the season. Swinney said the Tigers must cut down on turnovers and mistakes to stay competitive.
A packed night crowd in Death Valley has long been one of Clemson’s biggest advantages. Swinney said the atmosphere and the opponent’s pedigree will generate the expected buzz.
The Tigers play Charleston Southern after a bye week, giving them three consecutive home games after Saturday.
