Miami, Florida – No longer able to linger in the past the Miami Hurricanes must focus on the present in a highly anticipated matchup: Enter the Tar Heels. The Canes travel to Chapel Hill in week 7 sorely needing a morale boost after a stinging 23-20 loss to Georgia Tech. Sitting at 4-1 (0-1, ACC) UM is off to a rocky start in conference play tumbling to No. 25 in the rankings.
The No. 12 Tar Heels, meanwhile, remain undefeated checking in at 5-0 (2-0, ACC) coming off a 40-7 demolition of Syracuse. UNC owns a four-game winning streak over The U with the last two decided by a mere field goal. The previous Hurricanes victory was back in 2018 via a decisive 47-10 home win. This primetime battle features the top two offenses in the ACC in terms of total yards and passing. They also rank among the top in least points allowed per game. North Carolina’s signal caller Drake Maye has racked up 1,629 yards, just two off the current leader Haynes King. The team also features Omarion Hampton who currently sits with the third most rushing yards in the league (461).
TOP 5 🏈 pic.twitter.com/eiarRZh2eo
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 12, 2023
Maye’s go-to guy is Nate McCollum ranking among the top 10 receivers in the ACC in spite of only one TD to his name thus far. Lastly, within the secondary, there’s an individual of particular mention especially due to recent events. Alijah Huzzie is tied with Te’Cory Couch (and two others) for the most interceptions in the conference. Heading into this one, the Tar Heels are three-and-a-half point favorites according to Caesers Sportsbook and Draft Kings with the general belief that this will be a high-scoring affair.
North Carolina
Drake Maye
Drake Maye put on a show in @UNCFootball's 40-7 win over Syracuse 🎯
🔥 442 Pass Yds
🔥 55 Rush Yds
🔥 4 Total TD pic.twitter.com/ccrwEUqt2s— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 7, 2023
Recording eight touchdowns and four interceptions Maye is having a good year. He’s fresh off a terrific performance versus the Orange. Throwing for 442 yards, the sophomore found the endzone thrice and added another on the ground without incurring any interceptions in what’s seen as the quarterback’s best outing so far for 2023. In his last meeting against the Canes, Maye generated 309 yards throwing two TDs and two picks. He certainly felt the pressure of getting sacked five times. Miami’s defense will have to do similar this time around.
Nate McCollum
Nate McCollum was on 🔝 of his game!
He cashed in 135 yards with 7 receptions! 🐏@UNCFootball | @nate_mccollum pic.twitter.com/pIGN0GX61q
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 8, 2023
Just because McCollum only has one touchdown for the year doesn’t mean he isn’t a threat. A certain someone is similar who I will mention shortly. The Atlanta-born junior leads the team in both receiving yards and receptions making him Maye’s favorite target. UNC’s top wideout averages nearly 13 yards a catch illustrating his ability to pull off lots of yardage. In fact, in nearly every game thus far, the Georgia Tech transfer is involved in a successful deep strike including one for 48 yards (his longest in ’23) last weekend.
Omarion Hampton
Breakfast and 5-0 highlights 🍳 🎥 #CarolinaFootball 🏈 #UNCommon pic.twitter.com/Wtf2hQjNrw
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 8, 2023
North Carolina’s offensive might is far from one-dimensional. As one of the best running backs in the conference, Hampton has seven touchdowns in ‘23. Held to 36 yards in his last meeting versus Miami, he recorded the Tar Heels’ sole rushing TD. Wiser and better, Omarion is now the undisputed leading RB for the Tar Heels. Hampton was held out of the endzone for the first time this season versus Syracuse tallying 78 yards. Can the Canes do it too?
Alijah Huzzie
Gimme that 👐#CarolinaFootball 🏈 #UNCommon pic.twitter.com/gjyYqnGiPF
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 9, 2023
Considering TVD’s ugly performance versus Georgia Tech, the fans really don’t want to see a repeat with a roaming Huzzie. Credited with 20 tackles (11 of them solo), three INTs, and four pass breakups, Huzzie has been nabbing picks for two consecutive games. A transfer from East Tennessee State, Alijah was scouted as a three-star defensive back who also does punt returns. Against the Pittsburgh Panthers, he returned two punts for big yardage including a 52-yard touchdown.
Miami
Tyler Van Dyke
Some days a QB just doesn’t see the field for whatever reason. That’s definitely happening to Tyler Van Dyke tonight. He’s throwing as if the opposing team doesn’t exist. pic.twitter.com/Z2Dg87vyPR
— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 8, 2023
If Miami wants to have any chance at a win this Saturday, Tyler Van Dyke will have to be at his very best. He threw three picks snapping a streak of four consecutive games without an interception. Against UNC’s high-powered offense, any mistake could prove costly if the contest remains competitive. Van Dyke needs to play on a level akin to when he pummeled Texas A&M with five touchdowns. That means great decision-making and throwing dimes while trying to avoid slinging the ball aimlessly into double coverage.
Xavier Restrepo
Xavier Restrepo 🔥🔥🔥 #GoCanes #TheU 🙌🟩🟧 pic.twitter.com/0fI7Cutsge
— Chalupa Batman (@CoreyCarmona) October 3, 2023
UM’s leading wide receiver caught 12 passes establishing a new career high accumulating 123 yards versus the Yellow Jackets making him one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing performance by the offense. Similarly to McCollum, Xavier Restrepo doesn’t have a lot of touchdowns (yet) but he’s been TVD’s go-to man collecting big yards. Expect Restrepo to be a key playmaker in the showdown with North Carolina.
Riley Williams
Riley Williams | #ItsAllAboutTheU® pic.twitter.com/bdOpQUZMhd
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) October 13, 2023
For the first time this season, a tight end caught a touchdown. Riley Williams made his sole reception count in one of the few plays where we saw good execution from Van Dyke. In fact, it was the only receiving TD by the Canes. Adjustments should be made to make the tight end a part of Shannon Dawson’s Air Raid. The position has been geared more towards blocking, however, UNC presents an opportunity to utilize an additional tool they may not be expecting. In other words, give Williams more playing time.
Miami Secondary
• S Kamren Kinchens
• IDL Leonard Taylor IIITwo projected first-round prospects that I’ll have a very close eye on in the Miami/North Carolina matchup on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, ABC) pic.twitter.com/ThCVJbnfpE
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 12, 2023
You know, I usually point out players to keep an eye on but in this case, it’s going to be the defensive backs. Guys like James Williams, Jaden Davis, and Kamren Kinchens will have to be on high alert because if Drake Maye spies an open man he will make the defense pay just like Haynes King did. Miami will have to be airtight meaning Te’Cory Couch and others will be prowling the field looking for opportunistic interceptions. Nothing kills a threatening drive quicker than a takeaway.
Prediction
This is a very tough assignment. No doubt about it. UM will play with anger and determination but UNC has the momentum and home-field advantage. Few are picking the Hurricanes and I feel those that aren’t are right in this one. Final score: 38-27. Prove me wrong!
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