The Rundown Take
The Clemson Measuring Stick: What Miami Learned Losing to the Best
Monday after a tough one, and the panel wasn't sugarcoating it. Coming off a bye week, Miami ran into Clemson and got a clear look at the gap between a very good team and an elite one. Devin and E broke down where the wheels came off — no screens, no run game, a wide receiver corps that wouldn't fight for the ball — and turned the page fast toward a Saturday noon kickoff against Pittsburgh.
Key Takeaways
- Rhett Lashlee called zero screen passes against Clemson's blitz packages, and the panel wants that fixed immediately — get the running backs and D'Eriq King's check-downs involved this week.
- Special teams swung the game both ways: a blocked punt returned for a touchdown right before halftime gave Miami life, but two separate muffed punts in the return game nearly cost them the half.
- Untimely penalties killed drives — a Quincy Roche offside call on Clemson's opening possession and an Amari Carter targeting ejection were both flagged by the panel as mistakes a good team can't make against elite competition.
- Outside of Mike Harley and Brevin Jordan before his injury, the panel said no receiver consistently won a contested catch; Devin specifically wants D.J. Wiggins and Mark Pope to start fighting for 50-50 balls.
- Manny Diaz and the locker room said the right things postgame — don't let this loss beat them twice — and the panel wants that mentality tested immediately against Pittsburgh.
Top Shelf Looks Different
Both hosts agreed Clemson was always going to be a measuring-stick game, and the film showed exactly what separates a program still building depth from one loaded with four- and five-star talent on both sides of the ball. The takeaway wasn't panic — it was clarity on where Miami stands, and a reminder that every remaining game on the schedule is winnable if they show up ready.
Fix It This Week
The offensive line, and Jakai Clark in particular, drew criticism for false starts and pressure allowed, but the bigger ask was schematic — get the ball out of King's hands faster with quick game and screens instead of asking him to hold it through a full-field progression under duress. The panel wants to see if Rhett Lashlee adjusts against a Pittsburgh defense that's put up numbers but hasn't been tested like Clemson tested Miami.
Caller Corner
George called in still stinging from the loss, saying he's seen enough from a few underperforming receivers and wants the freshmen — Keyshawn Smith, Jared Payton, Michael Redding — pushed into bigger roles. Larry Frank Jr. and Brady Davis both echoed the same message: no more looking past anybody, treat Pittsburgh like the biggest game of the year, because nothing has been proven yet.
"When you go against the top shelf, it looks different. It's a reason they've been number one for a long, long time — they just had more dogs than us."