Miami’s win over Clemson spotlights contrasting roster strategies
The 41–13 result has renewed questions about the ACC balance of power, as CBS Sports contrasts Miami’s transfer and NIL activity with Clemson’s slower embrace of the portal.
Miami defeated Clemson 41–13, a result CBS Sports describes as the clearest sign yet of a changing balance of power in the ACC. The report frames the game as a contrast between Miami coach Mario Cristobal’s roster-building and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s approach.
CBS Sports says Miami has been active in recruiting, name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. Citing 247Sports, it reports that Miami has had a top-10 recruiting class in three of Cristobal’s five seasons and a top-10 transfer class in each of the past four years.
The report points to Miami’s recent transfer quarterbacks—Cam Ward, Carson Beck and Darian Mensah—as an example of its portal strategy. It says Clemson’s recruiting classes have fallen outside the top 20 in each of the past two years and that the Tigers have not had a top-50 transfer class.
Clemson won eight ACC titles between 2015 and 2024, as well as two national titles. Miami reached last season’s national title game, but has yet to play in an ACC Championship Game.
CBS Sports presents the result as evidence that Miami has moved ahead in the conference. The report also notes that Miami has not matched Clemson’s sustained run of ACC titles, so the 41–13 win alone does not establish lasting dominance.
