The Miami Hurricanes and Clemson Tigers played one of the most remarkable games of the 2009 college football season. We’ll see what they do for an encore this Saturday.

NCAA football betting: Miami Hurricanes @ Clemson Tigers

Online Betting Odds: Miami -3.5

Why To Bet On Miami

When the Hurricanes last played Clemson, Miami came up with stacks of big plays. Coach Randy Shannon’s team produced a 23-yard touchdown run, a 53-yard fumble return, and a 69-yard touchdown pass. Miami scored 34 points in three quarters and was always a threat to score from any point on the field. This year’s Miami team just finished a 31-3 demolition of the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road. Miami’s receivers and defensive linemen were both far too quick for Pittsburgh to handle. If Clemson isn’t up to the challenge of covering UM receivers or blocking the Canes’ front seven, Miami should be able to go into a hostile environment and pick up a big ACC betting scalp.

Why To Bet On Clemson

The Tigers also made loads of home-run-style plays last year against Miami. A 90-yard kickoff return, a 56-yard touchdown pass, and a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown enabled Clemson to get to overtime against the Hurricanes. Then, in the extra frame, a 26-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Parker to Jacoby Ford won the game for the Tigers, 40-37. In many ways, that was the game that catapulted Clemson to its first-ever ACC Atlantic Division championship. Clemson – knowing how important that moment was – should be full of confidence in this reunion with Miami. Parker was very solid last year against the Hurricanes, so he shouldn’t be intimidated by Miami’s speed. If he can focus on distributing the ball to his receivers and finding his check-downs when the UM pass rush is successful at creating pressure, the Tigers have a very good chance to win. The other element of this game which bends in Clemson’s favor is that Miami quarterback Jacory Harris – who threw three interceptions last year against the Tigers – has started the 2010 season coughing up the pill with regularity. Despite Miami’s 28-point triumph in Pittsburgh, Harris looked lost for most of the first three quarters. He floated balls into double and triple coverage, and he evidently has not fixed the ball-security issues that dogged him so markedly last year against Clemson and – for that matter – against most of the teams Miami played. If Clemson can get at least two turnovers from Harris, which is actually a fairly likely proposition, the Tigers should be in very good shape against the Hurricanes.

How The Game Will Play Out

Jacory Harris will indeed throw multiple interceptions, and Miami’s offense – which will probably make its fair share of big plays down the field in the passing game – will squander too many trips to the red zone. Kyle Parker is a more consistent quarterback, even though he’s not as naturally talented as Harris. The Tigers will make fewer mistakes at home, and will triumph as a result.

Miami Clemson Betting Pick: Clemson +3.5