This is probably pointless, but I got a few minutes today and I was curious so I started looking.
Somebody on here told me their roster is loaded with 5 stars and high 4 star kids, and I was scratching my head a bit so I did some digging.
In 2017, which should be their current senior class, they only had the 16th ranked class in the country. Actually, they were behind us, on paper of course (we were #12). Here are the kids ranked in the Top 200:
Tee Higgins -- Gone, currently on the Cincinnati Bengals
Hunter Johnson -- Gone, currently at Northwestern
AJ Terrell -- Gone, currently on the Atlanta Falcons
Amari Rodgers -- Currently a starting WR for them and a good player
Justin Foster -- On the team, but hasn't played yet this year. Dabo said today he's still out and no timetable for his return
Jordan Williams -- Currently a starting DT, but hasn't made much impact prior to this year. First start of his career was Week 1.
Travis Etienne -- Was ranked #213, but had to include him because of how special he is. Obviously a huge problem for our defense.
So, they signed 7 kids in the top 213, and only 3 of them will play against us, and 1 of those 3 really hasn't played a ton. Hmm.
In 2018, which should be their junior class, they signed the #7 class nationally. Miami signed the 8th ranked class. Top 200 kids:
Trevor Lawrence -- The best collegiate QB prospect since Luck and clearly the entire basis for how good they are. Say no more.
Xavier Thomas -- On the team, but hasn't played yet this year after being sick in the off-season and will not against us.
KJ Henry -- Currently a starting DE. Made his first career start against Wake. 2 sacks in his career.
Jackson Carman -- Currently the starting LT. High level talent and likely first round pick. Stud, will be great match-up with Roche.
Derion Kendrick -- Currently a co-starter at one of the corner spots. Second team all-ACC last year after moving from WR but didn't play Wk 1
Justyn Ross -- Absolutely elite talent, but out of the season due to injury
Kyler McMichael -- Transferred to UNC
Josh Belk -- Enrolled at Clemson but transferred to USCe after his first spring
Mario Goodrich -- Another co-starter at Corner, but hasn't played yet this year. Didn't do much his first 2 years. Will be back this week.
Justin Mascoll -- Redshirted in 2018 and didn't do much last year. Played a lot in the opener but still very limited experience. Backup.
So, they signed 10 Top 200 kids in 2018, but 4 are already gone. However, of the 6, they have a program changing talent at QB and a first round LT protecting his blindside. Other than that, possibly some talented kids but really nobody proven besides Kendrick.
In 2019, they signed the 10th ranked class. We signed our worst class in a while at #27. Top 200 kids:
Andrew Booth -- Super talented kid whose claim to fame so far is being forced to ride the bus home after being ejected in a game last season
Frank Ladson -- We all know Frankie. Excellent prospect, looked good last year as a true freshman. Starter.
Joe Ngata -- Starting WR as well but hasn't shown much yet and strained a muscle last week in practice. Monitor his status this week.
Will Putnam -- We recruited him hard, Tampa kid (Plant). Started at RG Week 1, first career start
Sheridan Jones -- Corner who may play vs us but low on their depth chart
Tyler Davis -- Another Florida kid we wanted. Sprained his MCL week 1 and will likely not play against us.
Joseph Charleston -- Backup Safety. Playing behind very limited but leader of their defense Nolan Turner
Bryton Constantine -- Retired in the summer after multiple knee injuries.
So, 8 more Top 200 kids, but only 6 will likely see action against us.
In their 2017, 2018, and 2019 classes, I count 15 kids who we will most likely see next weekend. By contrast, in those 3 classes, Miami has 10 kids ranked in the Top 200 who will see action against Clemson. Then you throw in King, Roche, Phillips, and Bolden....hmm.
Again, not discounting Clemson AT ALL. They're crazy talented, excellently coached, and the #1 team for a reason. And Trevor Lawrence can mask **** near any deficiency you have. But call me nuts....I don't see that absolutely loaded, experienced roster this year. Are they more talented than we are? Sure. They're gonna be a 2 TD favorite. But is it a gigantic gap? I really don't see it. I think we can play with these dudes. And the main reason being, the Quarterback position is so, so, so important. And we have a REALLY good one. He's not gonna be rattled, he's not gonna be scared, and he's accurate. That travels. Why don't we go out and drop 17-20 points in the first half and see if they don't tighten up a bit?