The Miami Hurricanes and Clemson Tigers square off on Saturday night in Death Valley in a game with significant ACC title implications, with the game being shown in primetime on ABC.

The Canes have surged to a 4-0 start, with only a slight flutter in the second half at Wake Forest after leading 31-7 being their only show of mortality thus far. Meanwhile, Clemson has improved to 3-1 after a season-opening 51-10 loss at LSU. Lifeless performances against Georgia Southern and in the first half against UNC have turned into a come from behind win over the Tar Heels and an impressive 24-10 win at Cal last weekend.

Can the Tigers ride that modest improvement into an upset win on Saturday night? Our college football writers weighed in with their game predictions.

Miami 38, Clemson 28

I think the writing is on the wall for Clemson and Dabo Swinney. The program is a shell of itself, esepcially from a talent acquisition standpoint. Things are the exact opposite for the Hurricanes, as they were less than 70 yards away from a national championship.

Even so, I expect Clemson to show out for this game almost as a last ditch effort to save their season. It won’t be enough, as the Hurricanes prove to be too explosive for the Tigers.

Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida

Miami 30, Clemson 10

This game had the potential to be one of the better matchups in the ACC this season if Clemson held up their end of the bargain, but it looks like Dabo and the boys have only fallen further down the list in terms of program competence. The quarterback position is a mess, and a lot of the notable draft prospects heading into the season simply haven’t played up to the offseason hype.

On the other hand, you have a Miami team with not only one of the sport’s most explosive weapons in Malachi Toney, but also one of the most efficient passers in college football in Darian Mensah. I know Clemson is at home, but this has a chance to be a route for the Hurricanes. Give me Miami, big.

Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama

Miami 34, Clemson 21

This game is much closer than the final score suggests, with Clemson hanging around for a large portion of the afternoon. One of the biggest storylines will be how the Tigers handle Malachi Toney. It’ll be interesting to see if Clemson allows CB Ashton Hampton to follow Toney around the field and essentially shadow him, considering Hampton is the most talented defensive back Miami has faced to this point. If Clemson can limit Toney and force Miami to win elsewhere, the Tigers have a chance to make this uncomfortable.

Ultimately, though, Miami’s overall talent takes over as the game progresses. The Hurricanes make enough explosive plays on offense to create separation, while Clemson capitalizes on a couple of coverage busts from the Miami secondary for some big plays of its own. Miami’s depth and playmakers prove to be the difference in the second half, allowing the Hurricanes to pull away and finish with a 34-21 victory.

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Miami 30, Clemson 13

This feels like a game that could be closer than many pundits are giving it credit for, and perhaps those in Las Vegas as well. The 17-point line feels out of place for what Clemson has been over the last decade, but Dabo Swinney’s Tigers have looked anything but the part of contenders the last few years.

Clemson’s secondary is talented, led by Ashton Hampton, who could play himself into first round consideration in April’s NFL Draft. I could see the Tigers giving Miami’s offense problems and preventing some of the chunk plays that Miami has ripped off all year with the exception of a quarter and a half against Wake Forest.

But Clemson freshman QB Tait Reynolds is going to have a rough experience against a Miami team that’s starting to get a tad healthier on the defensive side of the ball. DL Ahmad Moten, Sr. and Armondo Blount are off the injury report and appear set to be available on Saturday, along with CB Damari Brown. Starting CB Xavier Lucas could even possibly be in play, but even if not, Ethan O’Connor has been one of the better CBs in the ACC this year and can handle things very capably.

Miami slowly puts this one away in the second half with Mark Fletcher, Jr., who is also off the injury report, pounding away in the fourth quarter on a tired defense.

Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Miami