North Carolina vs. Miami Prediction, Game Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ (8-1) first game as the presumptive Coastal Division champ will be this Saturday versus the Miami Hurricanes (6-3). Check out the Miami vs. North Carolina prediction and game preview.

Miami vs. North Carolina Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 14
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: ESPNU

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Why You Need To Care

It took eight wins in a row, but Carolina is finally—and deservedly—ranked. Even better, the Tar Heels have taken complete control of the Coastal Division with back-to-back show-me triumphs over Pitt and archrival Duke. The Heels obliterated the Blue Devils, 66-31, raising thoughts that this team might be a threat to Clemson for an ACC title on Dec. 5. Kudos to Miami and interim coach Larry Scott, who are 2-0 since the ouster of Al Golden. With wins over Duke and Virginia, the Canes are bowl eligible, a particularly nice sendoff for the seniors who were around when the program was self-imposing bowl bans at the start of the decade.

Why Miami Will Win

Scott has his kids playing well and loose. They dramatically cut down on their penalties last week against Virginia, and the return of QB Brad Kaaya gives the Canes the offensive balance that it needs. While Carolina has had a remarkable turnaround on defense under new coordinator Gene Chizik, it remains last in ACC run defense at 218 yards per game. That’ll be an invitation for Miami to mix a healthy dose of Joseph Yearby and Mark Walton between the tackles.

Why North Carolina Will Win

Larry Fedora’s offense is humming. After a pair of so-so efforts against Virginia and Pitt, the Tar Heels erupted for 704 yards. RB Elijah Hood ran for three scores, but it was QB Marquise Williams’ 494 yards and four touchdown passes that really filleted a talented Duke secondary. To its credit, Miami has played well on defense since losing, 58-0, to Clemson on Oct. 24. But the Hurricanes lack the playmakers to shut down a diverse and explosive Carolina offense that ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per play.

Player Who Matters

The Heels will be looking for a big afternoon from their trusty linebackers, namely Shakeel Rashad and Jeff Schoettmer. No, Carolina doesn’t house a lot of obvious next-level talent on Chizik’s side of the ball. But the defenders battle and they play to the whistle, key components to this year’s about-face. Rashad and Schoettmer must wrap up Yearby in space, because Miami is 4-1 when he’s averaged more than four yards a carry this season.

What’s Going To Happen?

Carolina is in uncharted territory, so the staff will need to work extra hard at keeping everyone’s head on straight. That said, last weekend against Duke was a flashpoint for the program. The Tar Heels are confident and surging at the right time of the season. And while they could have some problems with Kaaya and Yearby, Williams, Hood and that bevy of gifted receivers will have the defense’s back if the game becomes tight. Carolina is playing too well right now to stumble to a flawed Miami squad.

Miami vs. North Carolina Prediction

Prediction: North Carolina 37, Miami 24, Line: North Carolina -12.5, o/u: 63.5
Must See Rating: 5: Spectre … 1: The 33 … 3