Hurricanes Defense Will Have Its Hands Full With No. 6 Clemson
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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – The Miami Hurricanes are bracing for a Hurricane; except this one is coming from Clemson, South Carolina and its named Deshaun.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is considered one of the top players in the country and if the Hurricanes, a seven point underdog, are to upset the Tigers they must find a way to sidetrack the talented QB.
Watson is off to a lively start, ranking second behind Miami's Brad Kaaya in total offense. He leads the league with 14 touchdown passes and is coming off a 420-yard passing night in a 34-17 win against Boston College.
He's also the Tigers second leading rusher with 234 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career-best 96 yards rushing in a win against Notre Dame three weeks ago.
"When the pocket breaks down, he can create," Miami coach Al Golden said of Watson. "We have to make sure we try and keep him in the pocket, and don't give him second and third opportunities on the play. He can pull the ball at any point in the run game and get you a big one in the alleys."
Watson is also one of the best deep ball throwers in the country. He has completions of 67 yards, 59 yards and 51 yards.
Artavis Scott is his favorite target with 39 catches and four touchdowns, and five other receivers are in double digits in receptions.
"He's doing a good job of trusting his receivers down field," said Golden. "He hits his receivers in stride creating big plays."
The preseason ACC Player of the Year is also an impressive 10-1 as a starter over the last two seasons and is playing with maturity and confidence.
He is not afraid to run, but he is a passer first. He has 43 plays of ten yards or more.
The Canes defense must find ways to make Watson feel uneasy whether it's with a four man rush or extra pressure. The Canes have been good on third down, holding opponents to a 31 percent success rate, and Miami has specialized in turnovers forcing 11 interceptions and recovering four fumbles.
Miami will have to build a wall around Watson so he can't beat them with his legs and must have tight coverage on the perimeter by Artie Burns, Tracy Howard and Corn Elder.
For Miami to win they are going to have to play their best game of the season.
Clemson averages 35 points a game while allowing just 16. They have won nine in a row going back to last year and 16 of their last 17.
The Tigers have also won 32 straight games against unranked opponents and are 10-1 in games decided by 7 points or less since 2011.
Over the last several years they have wins over Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame.
The Canes uniform combo this week will be green jerseys on top of white pants underneath white helmets.
Listen to the Miami Hurricanes take on the Clemson Tigers this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. on Sports Radio 560 WQAM, your official radio home for the Canes!
Follow Joe Zagacki on Twitter (@canesvoice)
