Canes present challenge

CLEMSON -- A 52-year-old in possession of graying hair and a political science degree from Brown might be the most popular man roaming South Beach these days.

Meet first-year Miami offensive co- ordinator Mark Whipple, who is largely credited with transforming a collection of young, talented assets into one of the nation's most potent offenses.

Like many successful units, Whipple's attacking scheme has been attached with a nickname: the "Whiplash" offense. It is a unit many deem responsible for Miami's resurgence and for easing pressure off embattled head coach Randy Shannon. Whipple's offense has in part propelled No. 8 Miami (5-1, 2-1 ACC) to quality wins against Oklahoma, Georgia Tech and Florida State.

Clemson (3-3, 2-2) must deal with the offense when it enters Pro Player Stadium on Saturday, its third shot against a top 15 team this season.

The game is also a clash of perhaps the best offseason coaching hires in the ACC.

The Miami juggernaut will be met by Kevin Steele's defense, which is ranked No. 11 in the country in total yardage.

"He knows how to create mismatches with formations," Steele said of Whipple.

Whipple came to Miami via the Philadelphia Eagles, where he coached quarterbacks last season. Prior to working with Donovan McNabb, Whipple coached Ben Roethlisberger for four seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterbacks coach.

Whipple has coached nearly everywhere.

He was the head coach of UMass from 1998-2003, leading the Minutemen to the 1998 Division I-AA national title. He was also an assistant coach with the Arizona Wranglers of the USFL in 1984.

Asked to describe his offense earlier this year, Whipple said: "(It's) a little of what the Steelers do … a little bit of what Arizona does, what I did with (Ken) Whisenhunt.

"It's not how much I know, it's what our guys know. I learned you can always challenge guys more."

Like Whipple, Steele spent time coaching in the NFL and said it is an advantage in enhancing a college coach's call sheet.

"When you are in the NFL, you don't have to worry about trying to develop young men -- that requires time," Steele said. "The NFL is all about Xs and Os all year long."

What does all of this mean for Clemson?

The Tigers face essentially a pro offense Saturday. Steele said Whipple specializes in creating mismatches and the vertical passing game.

The trigger man is 6-5 quarterback Jacory Harris, who has plenty of arm (9.4 yards per attempt). Unlike Riley Skinner, Harris can stand in the pocket under duress and make accurate throws. He ranks second in the ACC in passing efficiency.

"He's been a difference-maker," Steele said. "He's very poised and can make all the throws."

Clemson's secondary will be tested by 6-4 receivers Leonard Hankerson (18 receptions) and Laron Byrd (15), and speedy wideout Travis Benjamin (15).

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said the key is to pressure Harris with the front four. The group has performed well in recent weeks, already bettering last season's sack total (14) with 17 this season.

The problem is Miami's offensive line is the best Clemson will see in the ACC, according to Swinney, possessing three 6-7 specimens. Clemson defensive line coach Dan Brooks said the Tigers' defensive linemen must "get to them quick" before they can lock on utilizing their lengthy wingspans.

The Hurricanes, for the most part, have protected Harris well, the exception being their lone loss at Virginia Tech.

On the ground, Steele said Whipple creates rushing lanes through formation shifts and mismatches. Hard-charging running backs Graig Cooper and Javarris James have combined for 562 yards.

"Their running backs are seek-out-contact kind of guys," Swinney said. "They get a lot of yards after contact."

The mismatches carry over to the passing game.

Cooper matched up outside on a Florida State linebacker to reel in a 24-yard touchdown catch in the season opener.

Tight ends Jimmy Graham and Dedrick Epps have combined to catch five of Harris' 11 touchdown passes -- all in the red zone.

For a Clemson defense that has already faced Georgia Tech's triple option and Middle Tennessee's extreme spread, Saturday might be the greatest challenge of all this season.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.