Kirk Herbstreit expects to see where Miami Hurricanes offense is versus Clemson

ESPN College Football analysts Kirk Herbstreit and David Pollack are looking forward to watching the new-look Miami Hurricanes face their biggest test in years at Clemson Saturday night.

ESPN College Football analysts Kirk Herbstreit and David Pollack have been impressed by the play of the Miami Hurricanes during a 3-0 start in 2020. Herbstreit and Pollack discussed Miami and the Hurricanes’ next game against Clemson on the ESPN College Football Podcast earlier this week.

The Miami at Clemson game Saturday night will be the third Hurricanes game that Herbstreit has called this year. Herbstreit was previously the analyst with play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler for the last two Miami games in wins over Louisville and Florida State. The Hurricanes combined for 99 points in the victories.

Herbstreit credited the Miami Hurricanes for the victory at Louisville and acknowledged the struggles Florida State is having with their football program. The development of the Miami offense with D’Eriq King at quarterback and Rhett Lashlee as offensive coordinator will get its biggest test of the season against Clemson.

Herbstreit recognized that college football is about to find out how good the Hurricanes offense really is. Miami head coach Manny Diaz will have to answer questions all week about measuring his team against Clemson according to Herbstreit. Herbstreit further discussed how Miami matches up with Clemson.

"“On ABC, we have kind of been the voice of the ‘Canes with watching them navigate through these first few weeks of the season…We saw them take care of Louisville and it was like ok that was a good win. And then they blew out Florida State, who is obviously struggling right now.The next thing is Clemson and it was like ok now we are about to find out. Now we are going to see how much this D’Eriq King and Rhett Lashlee and this offense—now we see where they really are.Manny Diaz will have to answer questions all week talking about how Clemson is the bar, not only in the ACC, but also the country…Now you get a chance to go on the road and take on Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne and Brent Venables.You have watched these guys play in big games and now you are going to get thrown into the ring with them and you are going to find out how good you are. We will see. Their front line guys are capable athletically. I don’t think they have the depth. I think they are trying to build that. We will find out where Miami is."

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Pollack added to Herbstreit’s comments and seemed to think that Clemson could be vulnerable. The Tigers defeated Virginia 41-23 on Saturday, but only outgained the Cavaliers 466-417. Pollack was surprised that Clemson did not earn a bigger blowout over Virginia last weekend. Pollack wasn’t sure what that means for Miami.

"“We are used to Clemson destroying everybody and looking really great. Last week, watching that Virginia game, it wasn’t really great. It wasn’t vintage Clemson football…Clemson doesn’t struggle with Virginia usually. They usually beat the doors off Virginia.Their biggest thing with Clemson was their defense with giving up 400 yards and Virginia able to do at times what they wanted to do.”"

Herbstreit and Pollack were both concerned with how the Clemson defense played against Virginia. Herbstreit stated the Miami offense should challenge the Tigers defense and that after allowing over 400 yards against Virginia, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables will have his players attention.

The Miami offense should be the best challenge for Clemson in a regular season game in a few years. The Hurricanes offense has drastically changed this season and should be able to score with Clemson. If Miami has to grind the game out the proved in the season opener they can run the football when they have to.