Miami Hurricanes offense creating explosive plays challenging versus Clemson

The Miami Hurricanes offense will be challenged to create explosive plays against Clemson.

The Clemson defense has been one of the best limiting explosive plays this season. The Miami Hurricanes offense will be challenged to continue creating big plays against an experienced Clemson defense. Rhett Lashlee has completely transformed a Miami offense that was not consistently explosive in 2019.

The Miami Hurricanes have one of the most explosive offenses in college football this season. The Hurricanes are ranked in the top 10 in plays over 30 yards continuing in 10-yard increments through plays of 70 yards or more. Miami running Cam’Ron Harris is the only player with two runs over 60 yards this season.

Freshmen Running backs Don Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton and junior tight end Brevin Jordan have all been players who have created big plays for Miami this season. Jordan has four plays of 30 or more yards in 2020 and Miami quarterback D’Eriq King has three. Knighton had a 75-yard TD reception against Louisville.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is concerned about containing the big plays for Miami offensively. Lashlee will look to exploit what Clemson gives the Miami offense defensively. Multiple motions and moving players around in the formation to disrupt what Clemson does defensively is an area to watch.

"“[Lashlee] is going to play really, really fast and through that try to create some disruption in your ability to line up, be disciplined in getting your eyes on the right things, and they try to create some explosives through that”"

The Tigers have allowed only one play of 50 or more yards and rank ninth with only 20 plays allowed of 20 or more yards. Miami might be able to strike when it gets inside Clemson territory. Clemson ranks 34th allowing nine plays of 30 or more yards. The Tigers have allowed only one run of 20 or more yards all season

The Miami wide receivers are going to have to create plays against Clemson. Clemson will be focused on shutting down Jordan. Second-team TE Will Mallory will likely figure into the mix. Junior WR Mark Pope has made an impact in the victories over Louisville and Florida State with nine receptions for 124 yards with a long of 31.

Junior Dee Wiggins had a 40-yard TD reception against Florida State. Wiggins has seven receptions for 54 yards otherwise this season. In the Hurricanes wins over UAB and Louisville, Wiggins had a long reception of 11 yards. Known for his explosiveness Miami needs Wiggins to make a big play or two against Clemson.

Miami is more equipped to compete against Clemson on Saturday than they were in blowout losses the last two times the teams played. The Hurricanes are going to need contributions throughout the offense and a few big plays to have a chance to pull the upset on Saturday night.