Talking Tuesday: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney knows the Tigers have the opportunity against Miami on Saturday night to return to national status (AUDIO)

Clemson gets a second chance to make a national impression this Saturday night when the Tigers host 5th-ranked Miami for a 7:30 PM kickoff. The Tigers opened the season at then-11th-ranked LSU and lost by 41 points. They’ve rolled off wins over Georgia Southern, North Carolina, and California since then, but none of those victories drew much reaction across the country. Beating 17-point favorite Miami will.

The Tigers have improved on the defensive side since the LSU game, allowing just 10 points and 282 yards per game. Much of the credit for that has gone to the secondary, which will face perhaps its greatest challenge of the season with Miami’s receivers led by Heisman hopeful Malachi Toney.

The Clemson defense will have a chance at some redemption against Miami quarterback Darien Mensah. Playing for Duke last season, he led the Blue Devils to a 46-45 win in Death Valley by passing for 361 yards and four touchdowns. So far this season, Mensah has completed nearly 89% of his passes. He leads the nation in three different passing categories.

The game is for first place in the ACC, with both teams at 2-0. This will be the 15th meeting in a series that’s deadlocked at 7-7. And Clemson will be going for its 5th win all-time at home against a top-five team.

This will also mark Clemson’s 90th game against an AP top-ten team. The Tigers have 31 wins. Dabo Swinney will be coaching against a top-ten team for the 35th time. He is 19-15. And under the lights at Death Valley, Swinney is 27-5.

Some key comments from Dabo Swinney:

• Clemson reports very limited tickets remain for the Miami game. It’s also Clemson’s breast cancer awareness game.
• Huge week for them and a great opportunity as well.
• Miami is a team without weaknesses, a really talented team across the board.
• It’s amazing what Miami has done on offense; like looking at a video game, they are very balanced with multiple Heisman candidates, a well-put-together team.
• Miami wants to be physical and run the ball, and they equip the quarterback through the run game with RPOs; he could be first pick in the draft; he’s poised and doesn’t get rattled.
• Miami has a bunch of good receivers, but Toney is a dude of dudes — really, really good, lot of respect just watching him; he is impressive, can do it all, nothing he can’t do, he’s going to get his touches.
• Miami has a bunch of NFL guys on defense; they are really good up front.
• They’ve got to do what they do well; not a lot of margin for error, got to play with toughness and physicality.
• Got to do the little things well, have to win the turnover battle, have to find a way to make some big plays, have to hang in there to be there in the fourth quarter with a chance to win; your dudes have to be dudes, they’ve got good players too.
• Have to play a clean game; will have to play their best game, have their A game; if they show up with their B or C game, it will be a long night.
• They’ve improved in a lot of areas, but this is a different animal, likes what he’s seeing from team, likes how they are running ball, have to get better in the passing game.
• Receivers Miami runs out there will play on Sundays, and Clemson’s starting defensive backs will play on Sundays, so it should be a great matchup in the passing game.
• Ashton Hampton has developed into a superstar; he’s a leader, he’s vocal, he works hard and plays hard, he has come a long way from his freshman year, he has all the characteristics of a great player.
• Defense has been playing very well, has done a great job in the fourth quarter, guys have just gotten better, and what they’ve become from a coverage standpoint has helped; they’ve responded to bad situations.

Dabo Swinney press conference previewing Miami