Former Clemson offensive lineman and ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain joined DMoney and Mike Ryan ahead of Saturday night in Death Valley.

While he showed up with the 58-0 scoreboard behind him, Mac Lain was very candid on Miami's prospects in this game and detailed where each side could get an edge.

Here's some of the highlights from the show:

Mike Ryan: We have forgiven you for your sins from the last Florida State game, but now we've got a different kind of bias entering the room. Now we're going against your alma mater, and it seems like Clemson has figured out its identity. They're going to win ugly and they're fine with that. Season on the line here, Mac. I bet you've convinced yourself the Tigers are going to pull this off. Let's hear it.

Eric Mac Lain: Why not us? That's what everybody in that locker room is going to be saying. First of all, the spread is ridiculous to me. That's a big number.

I don't think there's any question Miami is one of the best teams in the country, and the only reservation I have in saying the best is the injuries that have added up. That's real. You see Lane Kiffin crying about it every day, and injuries matter more than ever.

A lot of people are saying Mensah went in there last year with Duke and won. Let me tell you about that.

Clemson fans were checked out, Clemson players were checked out, this is a whole other monster in a night game because Clemson has found some life and an identity. A lot of people thought Cal could be a tripping point, and they still got it done.

They've done it with really good pass defense. That's been elite since Week 1, getting their hands on the football. Ashton Hampton is incredible. He's freaky. Elliot Washington II is emerging as another great corner. And the defensive line had its best game against Cal. Finally someone other than Will Heldt got pressure, got a sack, caused chaos. There's real juice the fans are going to bring Saturday night.

DMoney: EMac, I'm struggling to figure Clemson out. I watched all their games preparing for this week, and it's nice to prepare for a real opponent. I can't figure them out in two areas: running the ball and stopping the run.

Against LSU it was a bloodbath on both sides. The first half against North Carolina was one-sided. Then the second half changes, you get the weather delay, and against Cal they dominated late running the ball. Who is Clemson when it comes to running and stopping the run, and how do they match up with Miami?

Eric Mac Lain: You laid it out pretty well. That second half is when it changed, and it was a little before the weather delay. I'm as shocked as you are. In the first half against North Carolina we were giving up sacks and TFLs left and right. Then the second half happens and the Dallas Cowboys offensive line walks out. We hadn't seen that in three games. The question was whether they'd build on it, and the answer was yes. They ran it very effectively at Cal, on the road, on the West Coast.

Can you do it against the best defensive line you've faced? I think interior-wise, North Carolina had the best tackles they've played, but now you're combining the ends and the tackles.

Ahmad Moten Sr. is as talented as anybody, but he's been dealing with an injury. Justin Scott is just as dynamic, and the edge players are playing really well. Damon Wilson II, it's time. It's time for you to be the guy we all thought you were.

What Clemson has going for it is Gideon Davidson figuring it out. He's patient and he doesn't hyper-react. Mark Fletcher Jr. does this well. Nate Sheppard does it. Isaac Brown at Louisville does it. If it's inside zone right, they stay right on that track until the safety and linebacker start to scrape, and then they cut it. Some guys see a hole and go right away, and the defense can react.

Stopping the run has been the issue, and that's something we've never faced. Clemson is a defensive line factory, with linebackers who enjoy hitting people. It's been a bit of an epidemic. I don't know if this is the game where it all clicks, because Miami is loaded at running back. But when you play an offense this good, you have to limit something. I don't say stop. I say limit. And most of the time, people try to limit the run.

Mike Ryan: Miami has to be gap-responsible against Clemson, not you guys expected this year, but a hallmark of a good staff is realizing what you don't have. And a guy like Bryant Wesco Jr. has the talent to be the leading receiver in this conference, and he's impacting the game by blocking on those outside runs. This team hasn't quit on Dabo. What say you?

Eric Mac Lain: I don't doubt any of that. Elite coaches adjust. What we wanted was to run the ball and take shots.

That's the offense I played in with Chad Morris. Right now, Tait Reynolds can't make those throws. He's throwing a bunch of picks when he goes downfield. That's frustrating, because typically a younger quarterback, one who isn't elite like Darian Mensah, is good at the short stuff and good at the deep stuff. He hasn't been. He actually does the intermediate game fairly well, which is confusing. And he can run the **** out of power.

That has to improve for Clemson to hang. If I'm Corey Hetherman, I'm putting eight in that box and saying, please show me you can throw the football, because I don't think you can. I'm trusting my guys one-on-one, because I don't think he can get them the ball. That's the mentality, based on the film and where Clemson is right now.

The frustrating part is he has the guys around him. Wesco, TJ Moore and Tyler Brown are elite. The tight ends are elite. We've seen flashes, not consistency. I've gotten past the "what could have been" with a portal quarterback.

You didn't have to spend four, five, six million dollars. Just a guy with experience. Now it's about how this freshman improves, and he has, every week. This is by far the biggest challenge he's seen as a starter.

DMoney: The first thing I texted you yesterday was that I hated this spread. When you look at the analytics breakdown, Miami is way ahead in success rate and explosive play differential, but the quality of opponents has been different. And one thing you hit on is Clemson's corners, Elliot Washington II and Ashton Hampton. I posted this morning that Cooper Barkate and Vandrevius Jacobs both had big days against Clemson last year.

If I'm Clemson, I'm making them prove they can do it again, at night, against these corners. How are you approaching Miami's receiving corps and Malachi Toney?

Eric Mac Lain: It's a good reminder of how bad Clemson's secondary was last year. They were one of the worst in the country. So you make a coaching change, bring in a new safeties coach, and go get four or five DBs in the portal. That's been a huge success, and I hope Clemson sees that as a tool worth using more. Corey Myrick is leading the team in tackles. Jerome Carter III is second or third. That's why you bring them in.

Then you have your elite player in Ashton Hampton. I think he's a top-15 pick, and if he runs better than I think, maybe top 10.

He's the perfect corner. He's huge, he's physical, he wants to be the shutdown guy and carry that for his team, and he gets his hands on the football. Now add Elliot Washington II, who's been even more of a ball hawk. In the Cal game he was literally running the route for the receiver. It looked inverted, like he was the receiver, the way he positioned his body and went up for it. He's playing his way into being a really nice draft pick.

Mike Ryan: I was shocked when the line came out too. I thought it would be 12.5 or 13.5, and it's 17. But I think you're getting divine intervention again. It's supposed to rain all day Saturday, and the recipe is right there. Make it a game in the second half. Clemson has the patience to stick with two yards and a cloud of dust. Hold the ball, let the weather limit the explosives, be within a score at halftime or better, and let the crowd take over.

This Miami team hasn't faced that. It's a line of scrimmage game, and when you look at the composite talent rankings, not much separates these teams.

Eric Mac Lain: I agree, and Miami is a great team. They're loaded. Saturday night is another test of how good you want to be and how much you can flex your muscles. Like I said, I think Darian Mensah is the best in the country, and he'll have the opportunity to show it Saturday night.

So how do you do it? You run the ball and keep it away from Dawson and Mensah. Make them frustrated, so when they get it back they feel like they have to score right now. That pressure is real for any coordinator who's used to being in a track meet. Mensah is the best quarterback in the country. Mali, I think, is the best player in the country. That's not a great combo to face.

But if we nitpick and look for a weakness, I think it's Miami's guards. I don't want to say disappointing yet, but that's where I'd look on film for something to pressure and confuse. You put a young freshman in there, in that environment, against those guys, and mistakes can happen. Is it a double A-gap mug that makes them choose? Is it stunts? Is it putting Will Heldt at the three-technique and letting him go one-on-one with a guard? I think Clemson gets creative with pressure. Mensah hasn't faced it this year, but at Duke, his worst games were the ones where he got hit a bunch. Can Clemson simulate that? And does the weather make it a weird game?

This is either a 20-17 game or Miami blows them out. I don't think there's an in-between.

Mac Lain will be working the ACC Huddle in Clemson and says he turns into full fan mode at 4 p.m. We'll be out there too. Catch the full conversation on the CanesInsight YouTube channel, subscribe, and turn on notifications, because Clemson week is just getting started.

 

We'll make the qb look Heisman worthy

Reynolds wouldn’t look heisman worthy against Miami Ohio, let alone us. Guy stinks

 

We'll make the qb look Heisman worthy

Negative Nancy…. Care to make a wager? $25 dollars?

 

Clemson will employ the defensive strategy that wake employed in the 2nd half. Have we learned from that and are able to pick up blocks?

Can barkate, upshaw, and jacobs step up when clemson tries to take away mali?

We'll see.

My keys to the game as I pointed out on other threads!

 

 

Is the last play worth 40 points?

 

It’s a prime time game, so it’ll be hyped to the max. We need to go out and make a statement. I’ll take any win, but I’d like a win where we absolutely humiliate Dabo Swinney on his home field. Call it a passing of the torch, of sorts. They had their run, now we show the world it’s our turn to dominate the ACC, long as we’re still apart of it. This is the game Mark Fletcher needs to take over. We’ve been waiting on a “playoff Fletch” type of performance, so go pound the rock. If we stay ahead of the chains, they have no shot at stopping us.

On defense, it’s simple. Stack 9 in the box and see if the worst statistical QB in the Power 4 (also just his 3rd start) can beat you with his arm. I would dare them to throw deep. Test Bryce Fitzgerald and Ethan O’ Conner (currently #1 PFF graded CB) 1 on 1. See how that goes for you. Let’s see if their O-line can pass block long enough for downfield plays to develop. He’s a 1-read QB so if his first read isn’t there, or he’s flushed out of the pocket, he’s going to run. 100%. He’s not extending plays with his legs and keeping his eyes downfield. He’s just tucking and running. So our DE’s need to make sure not to overpursue and give him a running lane, while the DT’s have to stay in his face all night and not get washed out or he will step up and take off straight up the gut for first downs. Lastly, if our edge guys get home on 3rd and long, FINISH. He’s strong, so if you don’t wrap up properly, he’s going to get away and take off. Don’t go for kill shots. ACC refs love to flag us for roughing the passer. And if Wesco has the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous. Swarm to the ball and bring him down. Trying to force fumbles got us in trouble at Wake. Just get stops and the offense will take care of the rest.

Another thing about the offense, I’d like to see Ben Congdon starting. It’s time. Throw him in the fire and see how he responds in a hostile environment. I’ll take my chances with the big guy. I think he can be the guy that soldifies this offensive line, which takes our offense into the stratosphere.

If we do all that, I think we win this game 45-17. If they turn the ball over a couple times and we don’t, I think we can score in the 50’s if it’s not a downpour out there.

 

Any predictions? Insight on how you think this game will go @Memnon ?

 

**** him.

 

Any predictions? Insight on how you think this game will go @Memnon ?

Miami gets up early & puts it away in 4th quarter after Clemson makes a small surge in the 2nd.

The 2 keys to the game for us on Defense:
- Force Turnovers
- Speed up Tait Reynolds processing

He's going to run on a few plays early on to attempt to pull Defenders out of the Box. Then, they'll work the screen game with Wesco when we play in Off coverage. They're also going to try to put our LB's in one on one coverage situations with a RB screen to Jarvis Green & working seams routes with their TE's Olsen Patt-Henry & Bentancur. They're going to try to make our LB's have to win in open field tackling.

They will be looking to exploit Thornton with his every down Blitzing, so they'll work a few Mesh read options where Reynolds will hand it off to Davidson a majority of the time & then once Thornton starts crashing down on the RB he'll keep it.

On the outside, they're not going to throw Deep at EOC, they'll try to hit him with Dig, Post & Comeback routes. Fitzgerald will get a Deep ball while matched up with TJ Moore.

The 2 most pivotal players to keep them contained Offensively will be Dunnigan & Lightfoot. If Lightfoot can continue to bring the pressure up front, it'll flush Reynolds out of the pocket & make him make decisions on the go. The Defense should funnel everything to the outside hashes & make him escape the pocket on the Weakside. Don't let him climb & get into the middle of the field, flush the pocket & work Backside towards the RT.

Dunnigan will play a huge role vs the run game in keeping everything at the 2nd level. They're going to Chip the fuxk out of Thornton to render him ineffective upfront, so Dunnigan will have to be Hook & Hole Zone stopper, when they try to get 2nd level runs off cutback lanes.

Poyser needs to make some open field Tackles as well. He comes downhill from the wrong angle almost every game, he'll have to make some plays when they run quick out routes to the TE's on 3rd & short.

But again, if we force 2 turnovers between the 2nd & 3rd quarter, we'll completely kill their momentum. I'm guessing Poyser & EOC get INT's this game.

The key factors for Offense:
- Protect Mensah
- Upshaw & Barkate have to win vs Man on the Outside.

Clemson has a really really good Defense & one of the best Secondary groups in the country. It's very clear we're going to throw it early & often to Malachi Toney, but Tom Allen will do all that he can to try to slow that down. Because they have 2 very good Corners, they can leave Ashton Hampton & Elliott Washington by themselves in Man coverage, which means they're going to try to bracket cover Mali with a Nickel & Safety.

If Barkate & Upshaw can get open & win on the Outside, the entire field will be opened up.

They will Blitz the A&B gaps heavy with their LB's. They're also going to sell out to stuff inside runs.

The game Offensively will be won on the outside. Unfortunately, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're gonna have to throw to win. Trying to play Bully ball will play right into their hands.

This would've been the perfect matchup for Josh Moore. But Van Jacobs can be an X-factor if we use Malachi to pull the Safeties into the Deep 3rd & have him run some Drag routes across the Zone.

Obviously, we're going to force-feed Toney, but Clemson's Defense is good enough to see that's what we do in every game on tape & at least have a trap set waiting for that. Hence, why we need to utilize Barkate, Upshaw & Jacobs early to open the field up. They're not going to let Toney or Fletch beat us, so beat them with the other weapons, which will force them to reel back & then you attack with Toney & Fletch.

Miami scores 2 TD's in the 1st quarter.
Clemson gets a TD & a FG in the 2nd.
Miami scores another TD & then gets a FG before half.
Clemson turns it over 2nd possession in the 3rd & Miami pulls away.

38-13
Miami.

 

We need to put Dabo out of his misery.
His lack of humility has always annoyed the crap outta me.

 

Thank you good sir. I’m glad I wasn’t alone in noting that Poyser has missed a ton of tackles this year with bad angles or over committing. He can and needs to do better.

 

And amazing write up! Thankful for your insight. @Memnon

 

How do they win if they can't run?

 

Maybe I’m a homer. But I just don’t see Clemson keeping it close. They’ve played one good offense. And gave up 51. Maybe the rain makes things weird. But I just don’t see it.

The rain makes things more difficult for Clemson imo. Sure it may shorten the game, but that means a really rough offense has to maximize their potential to the absolute max. If they are going to try being run heavy, and we get and keep them in third and long situations it will make it very difficult for them to sustain long scoring drives.

It’s a tall ask expecting Clemson to hold us to under 28, which is what I think they’d have to do to make it close, regardless of the rain. Maybe our OL gets eaten alive and the youth of playing in probably the most hostile environment we’ll go into this season takes over. But I just don’t see that happening consistently enough on Saturday to slow us down enough for Clemson to cover the spread let alone win.

 

It’s a prime time game, so it’ll be hyped to the max. We need to go out and make a statement. I’ll take any win, but I’d like a win where we absolutely humiliate Dabo Swinney on his home field. Call it a passing of the torch, of sorts. They had their run, now we show the world it’s our turn to dominate the ACC, long as we’re still apart of it. This is the game Mark Fletcher needs to take over. We’ve been waiting on a “playoff Fletch” type of performance, so go pound the rock. If we stay ahead of the chains, they have no shot at stopping us.

On defense, it’s simple. Stack 9 in the box and see if the worst statistical QB in the Power 4 (also just his 3rd start) can beat you with his arm. I would dare them to throw deep. Test Bryce Fitzgerald and Ethan O’ Conner (currently #1 PFF graded CB) 1 on 1. See how that goes for you. Let’s see if their O-line can pass block long enough for downfield plays to develop. He’s a 1-read QB so if his first read isn’t there, or he’s flushed out of the pocket, he’s going to run. 100%. He’s not extending plays with his legs and keeping his eyes downfield. He’s just tucking and running. So our DE’s need to make sure not to overpursue and give him a running lane, while the DT’s have to stay in his face all night and not get washed out or he will step up and take off straight up the gut for first downs. Lastly, if our edge guys get home on 3rd and long, FINISH. He’s strong, so if you don’t wrap up properly, he’s going to get away and take off. Don’t go for kill shots. ACC refs love to flag us for roughing the passer. And if Wesco has the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous. Swarm to the ball and bring him down. Trying to force fumbles got us in trouble at Wake. Just get stops and the offense will take care of the rest.

Another thing about the offense, I’d like to see Ben Congdon starting. It’s time. Throw him in the fire and see how he responds in a hostile environment. I’ll take my chances with the big guy. I think he can be the guy that soldifies this offensive line, which takes our offense into the stratosphere.

If we do all that, I think we win this game 45-17. If they turn the ball over a couple times and we don’t, I think we can score in the 50’s if it’s not a downpour out there.

This would be ideal

 

Any predictions? Insight on how you think this game will go @Memnon ?

Miami gets up early & puts it away in 4th quarter after Clemson makes a small surge in the 2nd.

The 2 keys to the game for us on Defense:
- Force Turnovers
- Speed up Tait Reynolds processing

He's going to run on a few plays early on to attempt to pull Defenders out of the Box. Then, they'll work the screen game with Wesco when we play in Off coverage. They're also going to try to put our LB's in one on one coverage situations with a RB screen to Jarvis Green & working seams routes with their TE's Olsen Patt-Henry & Bentancur. They're going to try to make our LB's have to win in open field tackling.

They will be looking to exploit Thornton with his every down Blitzing, so they'll work a few Mesh read options where Reynolds will hand it off to Davidson a majority of the time & then once Thornton starts crashing down on the RB he'll keep it.

On the outside, they're not going to throw Deep at EOC, they'll try to hit him with Dig, Post & Comeback routes. Fitzgerald will get a Deep ball while matched up with TJ Moore.

The 2 most pivotal players to keep them contained Offensively will be Dunnigan & Lightfoot. If Lightfoot can continue to bring the pressure up front, it'll flush Reynolds out of the pocket & make him make decisions on the go. The Defense should funnel everything to the outside hashes & make him escape the pocket on the Weakside. Don't let him climb & get into the middle of the field, flush the pocket & work Backside towards the RT.

Dunnigan will play a huge role vs the run game in keeping everything at the 2nd level. They're going to Chip the fuxk out of Thornton to render him ineffective upfront, so Dunnigan will have to be Hook & Hole Zone stopper, when they try to get 2nd level runs off cutback lanes.

Poyser needs to make some open field Tackles as well. He comes downhill from the wrong angle almost every game, he'll have to make some plays when they run quick out routes to the TE's on 3rd & short.

But again, if we force 2 turnovers between the 2nd & 3rd quarter, we'll completely kill their momentum. I'm guessing Poyser & EOC get INT's this game.

The key factors for Offense:
- Protect Mensah
- Upshaw & Barkate have to win vs Man on the Outside.

Clemson has a really really good Defense & one of the best Secondary groups in the country. It's very clear we're going to throw it early & often to Malachi Toney, but Tom Allen will do all that he can to try to slow that down. Because they have 2 very good Corners, they can leave Ashton Hampton & Elliott Washington by themselves in Man coverage, which means they're going to try to bracket cover Mali with a Nickel & Safety.

If Barkate & Upshaw can get open & win on the Outside, the entire field will be opened up.

They will Blitz the A&B gaps heavy with their LB's. They're also going to sell out to stuff inside runs.

The game Offensively will be won on the outside. Unfortunately, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're gonna have to throw to win. Trying to play Bully ball will play right into their hands.

This would've been the perfect matchup for Josh Moore. But Van Jacobs can be an X-factor if we use Malachi to pull the Safeties into the Deep 3rd & have him run some Drag routes across the Zone.

Obviously, we're going to force-feed Toney, but Clemson's Defense is good enough to see that's what we do in every game on tape & at least have a trap set waiting for that. Hence, why we need to utilize Barkate, Upshaw & Jacobs early to open the field up. They're not going to let Toney or Fletch beat us, so beat them with the other weapons, which will force them to reel back & then you attack with Toney & Fletch.

Miami scores 2 TD's in the 1st quarter.
Clemson gets a TD & a FG in the 2nd.
Miami scores another TD & then gets a FG before half.
Clemson turns it over 2nd possession in the 3rd & Miami pulls away.

38-13
Miami.

I’ll take that all day. A game where Clemson was never really in it. And we never take our foot off the gas.

 

Miami gets up early & puts it away in 4th quarter after Clemson makes a small surge in the 2nd.

The 2 keys to the game for us on Defense:
- Force Turnovers
- Speed up Tait Reynolds processing

He's going to run on a few plays early on to attempt to pull Defenders out of the Box. Then, they'll work the screen game with Wesco when we play in Off coverage. They're also going to try to put our LB's in one on one coverage situations with a RB screen to Jarvis Green & working seams routes with their TE's Olsen Patt-Henry & Bentancur. They're going to try to make our LB's have to win in open field tackling.

They will be looking to exploit Thornton with his every down Blitzing, so they'll work a few Mesh read options where Reynolds will hand it off to Davidson a majority of the time & then once Thornton starts crashing down on the RB he'll keep it.

On the outside, they're not going to throw Deep at EOC, they'll try to hit him with Dig, Post & Comeback routes. Fitzgerald will get a Deep ball while matched up with TJ Moore.

The 2 most pivotal players to keep them contained Offensively will be Dunnigan & Lightfoot. If Lightfoot can continue to bring the pressure up front, it'll flush Reynolds out of the pocket & make him make decisions on the go. The Defense should funnel everything to the outside hashes & make him escape the pocket on the Weakside. Don't let him climb & get into the middle of the field, flush the pocket & work Backside towards the RT.

Dunnigan will play a huge role vs the run game in keeping everything at the 2nd level. They're going to Chip the fuxk out of Thornton to render him ineffective upfront, so Dunnigan will have to be Hook & Hole Zone stopper, when they try to get 2nd level runs off cutback lanes.

Poyser needs to make some open field Tackles as well. He comes downhill from the wrong angle almost every game, he'll have to make some plays when they run quick out routes to the TE's on 3rd & short.

But again, if we force 2 turnovers between the 2nd & 3rd quarter, we'll completely kill their momentum. I'm guessing Poyser & EOC get INT's this game.

The key factors for Offense:
- Protect Mensah
- Upshaw & Barkate have to win vs Man on the Outside.

Clemson has a really really good Defense & one of the best Secondary groups in the country. It's very clear we're going to throw it early & often to Malachi Toney, but Tom Allen will do all that he can to try to slow that down. Because they have 2 very good Corners, they can leave Ashton Hampton & Elliott Washington by themselves in Man coverage, which means they're going to try to bracket cover Mali with a Nickel & Safety.

If Barkate & Upshaw can get open & win on the Outside, the entire field will be opened up.

They will Blitz the A&B gaps heavy with their LB's. They're also going to sell out to stuff inside runs.

The game Offensively will be won on the outside. Unfortunately, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're gonna have to throw to win. Trying to play Bully ball will play right into their hands.

This would've been the perfect matchup for Josh Moore. But Van Jacobs can be an X-factor if we use Malachi to pull the Safeties into the Deep 3rd & have him run some Drag routes across the Zone.

Obviously, we're going to force-feed Toney, but Clemson's Defense is good enough to see that's what we do in every game on tape & at least have a trap set waiting for that. Hence, why we need to utilize Barkate, Upshaw & Jacobs early to open the field up. They're not going to let Toney or Fletch beat us, so beat them with the other weapons, which will force them to reel back & then you attack with Toney & Fletch.

Miami scores 2 TD's in the 1st quarter.
Clemson gets a TD & a FG in the 2nd.
Miami scores another TD & then gets a FG before half.
Clemson turns it over 2nd possession in the 3rd & Miami pulls away.

38-13
Miami.

Bro...this is so good. Just a casual "how do you think the game will go?" elicits this in-depth thoughtful response. My man. Thank you for your insight.

 

Eric’s translation.....the crowd will win the game.

 

It’s really depressing to read some of y’all post. I hope the team isn’t as shook as some of you. You would think we were playing the last good team they had.

Reading Dabo in his press conference, dude is shook asf and knows this game right here is going to be the back breaking loss of his career. He's sitting and praying to the football gods that he doesn't get run out of his own stadium.

"It's at Death Valley at night and it's going to rain"

 

At the end of this game, people will still be saying that we haven’t played anyone with a pulse, it’s going to be that bad.