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UNC Football vs. Miami: Preview, info, prediction and more

By Nick Delahanty

Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Antoine Green (3) runs to score on a seventy-six yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Antoine Green (3) runs to score on a seventy-six yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC football program will look to build off last week’s performance, as they’ll take on a Miami team that has struggled a bit as of late.

After their most complete performance so far this season, the UNC football program is back in action on Saturday afternoon, as they’ll take on the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Prior to their “bye week,” the Hurricanes dropped two contests in a row, as they’ll head into this contest looking to get back on track. Their most recent 45-31 loss to Middle Tennessee was certainly head-scratching, as Mario Cristobal elected to bench quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who was viewed as one of the top signal-callers around heading into the start of the season.

Even with the Hurricanes struggling, this is a big game for Mack Brown’s team as they get deeper into their conference schedule. They’ll have to come prepared for this one, as Miami is well-rested and ready to get back in the win column.

Key to Victory for North Carolina

It would be easy to point towards the run game as a focal point, as quarterback Drake Maye has led the team in rushing in each of the past two weeks. Even though Phil Longo would love to see the run game get going, the Tar Heels air attack may end up being the difference in this one.

Maye has done a great job of not only utilizing his various weapons but also limiting turnovers. Through their first four games of the season, the Hurricanes’ secondary has struggled with allowing big plays to happen.

To put it into perspective: Miami has allowed four plays of 60+ yards so far this season.

This is where Josh Downs and Antoine Green come into play.

As both players have a few weeks under their belts since returning from injury, this is an area of the game that the Tar Heels can certainly take advantage of. Especially with Green, the Tar Heels’ main deep threat, look for this to be something that North Carolina exploits early and often in this one.

Miami has been very good in limiting short passes but doesn’t typically draw much pressure from the front seven. If the Tar Heels offensive line can provide Maye with time to work with, we could see another high-scoring performance this week.

Something to Watch For

As mentioned earlier, Hurricanes starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was benched during the team’s most recent loss. Heading into this week, Cristobal stated that Van Dyke will be back under center to start against the Tar Heels, but you’d have to think that we could see a similar outcome if Van Dyke struggles in this one.

Coming off their best outing of the season, North Carolina’s defense could really help set the tone in this one. If they can limit Miami’s offense, it could put the pressure on, especially if Drake Maye and company come out and put some scoring drives together early.

What You Need to Know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0 in ACC) at Miami Hurricanes (2-2, 0-0 in ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 4:00 PM EST
WHERE? Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV? ESPN 2
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Sunny and humid. High 86F
LINE? Miami -3.5
LAST MEETING? North Carolina defeated Miami 45-42 on October 16, 2021
ALL-TIME SERIES?  North Carolina leads the series 14-11
PREDICTION? North Carolina 42, Miami 31

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