Clemson and Miami football teams have biggest 2020 challenge per Dabo Swinney

The Clemson and Miami football teams face their biggest challenge of the 2020 season when the teams play Saturday night according to Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney.

The Clemson and Miami football teams enter their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday with 3-0 records. According to Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney, both teams are facing their biggest challenge of 2020. Miami has victories over UAB, Louisville and Florida State this season.

Clemson has defeated FCS The Citadel, Wake Forest and Virginia. The Cavaliers gave the Tigers a much tougher game than the 41-23 final score indicated. Clemson had a 466-417 edge in total yards. The Miami football team will play on the ABC Primetime Game of the Week and ESPN College GameDay for the third straight game.

Clemson is used to playing in big games. The experience of being on national TV and featured on Gameday the last two weeks will help the Hurricanes, but this is a huge step up. Miami needs to play like they have been there before. Clemson has played in big games multiple times over the past six seasons.

Swinney praised Miami for being the most complete team Clemson has played this season and for the talent, Miami has throughout its roster. Clemson and Miami enter the game healthy. Both Swinney and Miami head coach Manny Diaz have discussed the importance of passing their COVID-19 tests.

"“Got the biggest challenge that we’ve had all year for sure in Miami. This is a really, really complete football team. Man, Manny [Diaz] has done a great job down there. They have dudes everywhere and that’s pretty easy to see when you turn the film on.The good news is we are 3-0 and we haven’t come near to playing our best football yet. That’s on us as coaches to get us there. We are in a good spot health-wise and hopefully we can continue to have good success in doing what we need to do the rest of this week.Have two more tests Wednesday and Friday and hopefully we’ll get results there and have everybody ready for the show on Saturday night. This will be a heck of a game. Will be a great matchup. This is by far the biggest challenge we’d had, and the biggest challenge they’ve had. This is what it’s all about.That’s why they made it GameDay, two good teams going at it.”"

Swinney later spoke about new Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. The new Miami spread, up-tempo offense Lashlee installed this season has utilized the talent on the Miami roster better. Tight end Brevin Jordan has been virtually uncoverable and running backs Cam Harris, Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney explosive.

Miami is balanced on offense and has continued to play aggressively on defense. The Hurricanes have playmakers throughout their defense. Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche need to pressure Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence while safety Bubba Bolden makes it difficult for the Tigers on the backend.

Miami is in a much better position with the talent on their roster playing Clemson on Saturday than they were in 2017. The Hurricanes have more depth than when they played the Tigers in the 2017 ACC Championship game and are healthy. In 2017 Miami was missing WR Ahmmon Richards, TE Chris Herndon and RB Mark Walton.