CLEMSON – We’ve been away for a while, sorry about that. We are transferring to new blog software for the second time this season and we’ve had some issues – if interested I can give you a direct line to IT: 843-937- ... Nah, I'll be nice.

(Programming note: those interested in our Captionating feature should return Wed. when I think I should have another edition ready)

So let’s get to it … a little looking back, and a little looking forward to the Saturday showdown with No. 8 Miami at 3:30 pm on ABC.

10 So Dabo will be verbally “encouraging” more often, right?

Nice effort Tigers, now can the Blue Ridge Bengals repeat it?

I've been told consistency was a bit problematic during the Bowden era, so if Swinney wants to distance himself from that relation a win Saturday would give him some major political capital. If Tigers beat Miami they’ll likely be in the driver's seat in the Atlantic, and possibly breakthrough into the top 25.

9 If you are going to defeat Miami the key is bothering quarterback Jacory Harris. I’m not just making this stuff up, Virginia Tech offers a road map to victory.

The Hokies are the only team to defeat Miami this season, harassing Harris on the road in Blacksburg, recording three sacks for minus-28 yards.

8 While the Hurricanes skill guys receive a lot of praise, and rightfully so, the offensive line is the conference’s best.

They are also the tallest.

The Hurricanes enjoy rare wingspans as both guards are 6-7 (rare size for interior linemen) and standout left tackle Jason Fox is also 6-7. CU defensive line coach Dan Brooks, says whith such size the key is getting into the Miami linemen “in a hurry.” Gotta get hands on them, before they get hands on you.

8A I think Clemson has one of the top 10 defensive lines in the country. They can prove it Saturday, and will need to to win.

8B If Clemson’ D-line can make a difference – DeAndre McDaniel can turn pressure into turnovers. He is akin to a young Andruw Jones tracking down fly balls.

He has an ACC-best 5 interceptions and is out-performing some more highly touted safeties in Morgan Burnett and Kam Chancellor. McDaniel has my first team All-ACC vote at the moment.

7 You have to get to Harris in a hurry. In his second year starting, Harris had picked apart teams (See 9.4 ypa), fully utilizing an impressive stable of young offensive weapons.

6 Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple should be up for ACC coach of the year honors as an assistant. Has done a good job of creating mismatches and has avoided forming tendencies.

6A One thing Whipple has brought is a productive play-action game with running backs Graig Cooper and Javarris James, which make it more difficult for the front four to zero in on the quarterback. Miami has some of the most versatile and skilled backs Clemson has seen this season – second only to C.J. Spiller, according to CU linebacker Brandon Maye.

And, no, Spiller won't be running the scout team.

5 Brooks says ideally he wants to rotate in 5 interior linemen and 4 ends. It’s working nicely so far as the Tigers have already beaten last season’s sack total (17). The Bamberg High duo of Da’Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp each have eight TFLs and three sacks. Da’Quan has been unblockable the last two weeks, seemingly in the opponents' backfield every other play.

5A Is there any reason to think Bowers won't be a first-round pick in the 2011 draft?

4 I was wondering why the Tigers were so decided against redshirting freshman Malliciah Goodman – and now I know why. In 127 snaps he has 4 TFLs and two sacks, the best per-snap production of any defensive player.

3 It’s hard to accept that Clemson’s offensive gains were solely from “staying on schedule” Saturday.

While first-down success was key, I think it had as much to do with not necessarily utilizing the entire play sheet, but severely altering it.

Clemson showed more play-action, more multiple tight-end sets, more power formations, and less reliance on three and four-wide receiver sets. It’s a welcomed change for Clemson Nation.

Change some corners (including this one) had been calling for for weeks.

3A I’ve always thought Clemson could be a dynamic play-action team this season with Spiller in the backfield, Parker’s rocket arm, and Ford’s speed on the outside. You would think will we see more of that going forward.

3B Clemson’s offense played faster, appeared more decisive and organized. Also it was noticed that Swinney might have been doing less play-signaling (and less play-vetoing?). Where there was smoke last week regarding offensive autonomy, there might have been some fire.

Was this what Napier intended the offense to look like? Maybe we can pry some more information out of him tomorrow.

2 Chris Hairston made a difference back at left tackle, and Dalton Freeman did a very nice job in his first start at center. Going under the radar is David Smith now splitting time with Landon Walker at right tackle, Smith is still learning the position but he has some upside.

1 Kyle Parker’s best start was his sixth start, helped no doubt with an extra week of preparation.

The staff says Parker has recently taken more ownership in the position, spending more time in quarterback study. He forced fewer passes Saturday, and was more decisive with his feet. He seemed to take what was there, rather than swinging (and missing) for the fence. It was a step forward after three steps backward.

STAT THAT MAY ONLY INTEREST ME – 19.

According to the Sagarin “Predictor” Rankings the Tigers are the 19th best team in the country.

In that ranking only scoring margin matters, and it is a better indicator of future games than the Sagarin “Elo Chess” rankings, where only wins and losses matter. The BCS uses the Elo Chess rankings which has Clemson 41st.

So is Clemson more the 19th best team that beat Wake?

Or more the 41st overall team that lost to Maryland?

I'm going with the former.

NON-FOOTBALL RECOMMENDATION – I’m a little late on Wilco. The Chicago-based band have been around since 1994, but I really just started checking them out the last two weeks “California Stars” is a good listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcMsB3mYPMs>

And if you haven't seen Slumdog Millonaire, you should. And it's on HBO now. Great, great film. Smartly woven story lines, while offering a glimpse of life in the India slums.

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