They are very good but right now the numbers are not elite. Clemson is allowing 4.4 yards per play. That's roughly 1.5 yards lower than Miami. But 4.4 is second tier. The truly special defenses allow 4.2 or below at season's end, with the rare ones surrendering below 4.
If you are good enough on offense, there is just enough escape room against a 4.4 defense as opposed to the lower numbers. That is especially true in this case since the 4.4 is combined with allowing 6.6 yards per pass attempt. That is not special at all. Just the opposite. It is decent but for a team aspiring to a national championship the 6.6 is worse than generally needed.
Don't get me wrong. I think Clemson will cave in tons of plays and we'll lose. But it should be interesting to see what Kaaya can do during the plays that unfold normally.
These are my favorite games, when an attacking defense visits our site and I get to see them in person. Hasn't happened very often in recent years. When Oklahoma and Ohio State came here they were not in best form. The great Florida State defense of 2013 was a road game for Miami, not a home game.