The Miami Hurricanes (6-3, 3-2) will travel to play the North Carolina Tar Heels (8-1, 5-0) this week in a clash between two quality teams. The ACC’s third-leading passer, Marquise Williams (2,117 yards, 15 TDs), and the second-leading passer, Brad Kaaya (2,132 yards, 12 TDs), will have a major impact on this game. In the midst of a successful stretch in which it has won three of its last four, Miami (FL) enters this week’s game hoping to emerge victorious once again. The game will begin Saturday, Nov 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPU.
North Carolina easily got past Duke 66-31 last week. Marquise Williams had a huge game throwing the ball in the victory, completing 23 of 35 pass attempts for 494 yards and four TDs. Mack Hollins also had a great game with 165 receiving yards and a TD on five receptions. Miami (FL) was victorious in last week’s performance as well, defeating Virginia 27-21. Stacy Coley had a great game for the Hurricanes, hauling in seven balls for 132 yards and one TD. David Njoku had 63 receiving yards and a TD on two catches.
The Hurricanes are a 12-point underdog against the Tar Heels and the Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 60 points.
Sitting at 8-1 Straight Up (SU) and 6-3 Against The Spread (ATS), the Tar Heels will look to improve heading into Week 11. In the past five games, North Carolina is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS. North Carolina has America’s 25th-ranked passing attack, which averages 290.6 yards per game. As for the North Carolina defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. The Hurricanes will be matching up against a stout North Carolina pass defense, which only allowed 195.0 passing yards over their last five matchups. Miami (FL) could put the Tar Heels away early, because the Hurricanes are one of the worst in the country in scoring defense for the fourth quarter. So far this year, they’ve given up an average of 8.9 fourth-quarter points. Concentration could be a key factor in this week’s game. The Tar Heels hope to profit on Miami (FL)’s mental lapses, which contributes to 82 penalty yards per game.
Across the field, the Hurricanes have a record of 5-4 ATS and 6-3 SU. The Hurricanes went 3-2 for both SU and ATS over the last five games. The Tar Heels are matching up with Miami (FL)’s defense at an inopportune time. Over the last five games, Miami (FL)’s opponents have only averaged 236.2 yards through the air.
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina, O/U – Under
Notes
North Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of North Carolina’s last 12 games.
North Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
North Carolina is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami.
North Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina’s last 5 games when playing Miami.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of North Carolina’s last 5 games when playing at home against Miami.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami’s last 5 games when playing on the road against North Carolina.
Miami (FL) is 6-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. North Carolina is 7-1 SU when leading at the end of the third quarter.
Per FBS ratings, North Carolina has an advantage in the passing game. Its offensive passing game (ranked 25th in the country) will face the 61st-ranked pass defense of Miami (FL), while its second-ranked pass defense will look to limit the 30th-ranked aerial attack of the Hurricanes.
