Pump up the volume: Tigers prepare for noise

CLEMSON -- Crowd noise blared at the practice fields Wednesday as the Tigers prepared for a road test at No. 8 Miami on Saturday.

Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker said crowd noise has not been a major issue in the team's first two road games. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said the Georgia Tech crowd was loud as the Yellow Jackets built a 21-0 lead, but noted the Clemson offense had hardly been on the field when the decibels were greatest.

"When we started rolling and scoring, the crowd was out of it," Swinney said. "(Crowd noise) wasn't a big factor in that game."

At Maryland, 46,243 were listed as having attended, but with a noon start and an early Clemson lead, crowd noise was not a factor until later in the game.

The Tigers could get their first sustained taste of frenzied fans at Land Shark Stadium as Miami (5-1, 2-1 ACC) has much to play for in the Coastal Division, and the Tigers (3-3, 2-2) are coming off an impressive performance against Wake Forest. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. on ABC-TV (WCIV).

Miami has averaged 51,659 for three home dates this season, including a season-best 61,790 for the Oklahoma game.

"There was some crowd noise today, some crowd noise tomorrow," Swinney said. "We had pretty good execution in it today. Quarterback, making sure he is in command, making sure he is really barking out calls, if he is changing something, making sure it is communicated properly down the line.

"Being poised, under fire in crucial moments."

Vocal fans would be another test for Parker, who makes his seventh career start Saturday. The freshman is 0-2 on the road.

Swinney believes the Tigers and Parker are making strides in regard to maturity and preparation. Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier said Parker was more attentive to detail in preparing for the Wake Forest game.

"Show that maturity," Swinney said. "Understand what caused the success."

History with The U

Saturday's game is Clemson's first against Miami since the triple-overtime game in 2005 at Clemson. The Tigers lost, 36-30. Miami leads the series (2-5), which dates back to 1945. Clemson's last game at Miami was in 2004, a 24-17 overtime victory. The game was played at the Orange Bowl.

Extra points

Clemson offensive line coach Brad Scott believes the Tigers have seen Miami-type speed quite a bit this season, in fact about every day. "They are very similar to what we practice against," Scott said. "They are all clones … They are a Florida State kind of defense -- athletic, speed, attacking, creating some havoc." … Clemson hasn't defeated a ranked team on the road since topping No. 9 Florida State on Sept. 16, 2006.