Miami players would be on their "A game" for ND because they are a hated rival. Maybe the most hated. It's just like most games between Canes and FSU, the records usually didn't matter. Both teams knew they were coming for blood. Miami has no real history with Clemson except an *** kicking and Clemson is one of the most dominant programs of the last decade. You could tell Miami played scared. On the flip side, Miami players know they can beat Book and ND because they have done it before and Manny Diaz took Brian Kellys lunch money. Psychology is a big part of football. A Miami team that felt disrespected by ND is more than capable of beating them as we've done it before. It's sad you believe so little in the team you claim to support.
Miami can brings it's "A" game—it still has a D-level offensive line.
There's a reason Clemson rolled the Canes and a reason Virginia and Virginia Tech defenses held Miami in check, for the most part, as well.
Notre Dame's defense would've given Miami's line fits this year—and anyone pointing to 2017 is off their rocker, as that Canes team had better top to bottom talent. Please.
J. Johnson, Redwine, McIntosh, Norton, Jackson, Quarterman, Pinckney, et al on defense—a go-to like Berrios and a young Richards at receiver, Njoku at tight end—McDermott, St. Louis, Darling, Jones, Gauthier on the offensive line.
Miami was 6-7 last year and an embarrassing 13-16 dating back to the end of that 2017 season. This team is 7-1 right now because of D'Eriq King and would be 5-3 or 4-4 right now without him.
Appreciate this season for what it is and hope that Diaz can take another step forward in 2021—but don't confuse it with Miami being a legit contender in the ACC this year. Clemson is the cream of the crop and sadly Notre Dame is the second-best. Tigers win by double digits in ACC title game.
