Through the first four weeks of the season, one of the most underrated parts of this Clemson team is Jeremiah Alexander's ascension at linebacker. This may be the fifth college season for the former Alabama transfer, but he is thriving playing next to Sammy Brown. Together, they have reinvigorated the entire Clemson defense, one that is getting better at all three levels rapidly. Will that be enough?
Looking at Clemson's upcoming game with Miami, the biggest key is to stop Mark Fletcher Jr. and the rest of the Hurricanes' rushing attack. It will be the Tigers' biggest defensive challenge so far. Even though Alexander is already approaching a career high in tackles, slowing down the California Bears' rushing attack is not the same as mitigating Miami's. UNC's ground game is somewhere in between.
In short, even if Alexander has risen to Brown's level of linebacking excellence in the last two weeks, that still may not be enough to stop Miami. So far this season, the Canes have averaged 227.5 yards per game on the ground, while holding the opposition to only 39.5. As far as Clemson is concerned, while the Tigers are getting 158.3 yards per game running the football, they are also giving up 157.8.
Jeremiah Alexander looks dramatically more comfortable in his role alongside Sammy Brown.
— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) September 28, 2026
That, in turn, has made Brown's life easier, and Clemson's defense has begun to click better up front. https://t.co/tRayI9p5qh
Tom Allen is driving Jeremiah Alexander to become the player he was always meant to be
Over the last few weeks, Clemson went into the doghouse and came out a much different program. The Tigers have confronted all adversity they have encountered head-on. Much of the credit needs to go to Dabo Swinney, as well as his star coordinator Tom Allen. It is amazing what can happen when a coach gets comfortable in his role. He is putting players like Alexander into ideal spots to succeed.
Given that Allen is also Alexander's position coach, we are finally seeing the former Crimson Tide castoff become a star in real time for Clemson. Granted, having an on-field coach playing next to him in Brown only helps. However, this team still needs to get better at stopping the run to have more than a snowball's chance against Miami on Saturday night. Alexander and this defense are growing up fast.
Essentially, we have to wonder if Alexander's growing confidence will be enough to stifle everything Shannon Dawson throws his way. Miami has one of the best offensive coordinators in the sport. While Bobby Petrino is an ace play-caller for North Carolina, Jordan Somerville is brand new at this for Cal. Having confidence is a beautiful thing, but sometimes that is not enough. You will need to have a plan.
If Clemson is going to come out of Death Valley alive with a win over Miami, Allen is going to have to put his trust and faith into the Tigers' elite secondary, as well as game plan to get the most out of Alexander, Brown, and the rest of the linebacking corps. Miami is going to move the sticks aerially with its vaunted passing attack. However, taking away the run game will make Miami one-dimensional.
The easiest way Clemson pulls off the home upset of Miami is by the linebacking corps taking over.
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