The No. 25 University of Miami Hurricanes (2-2, 2-1 Home) open Atlantic Coast Conference play against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0 ACC) at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday in a matchup that pits one of the ACC’s toughest defenses against its most potent offense. The Hurricanes are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 66. North Carolina is coming off a runaway 41-10 win over Virginia Tech at Kenan Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Drake Maye was 26 of 36 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 13 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Downs caught eight passes for 120 yards. Miami (FL) lost 45-31 to Middle Tennessee at Hard Rock Stadium on September 24. Jake Garcia threw for 307 yards. Henry Parrish Jr. carried 14 times for 57 yards. Key’Shawn Smith caught four receptions for 81 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Tar Heels won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 45-42 victory in October, their third straight win against Miami (FL). Sam Howell threw two touchdowns for North Carolina, as Ty Chandler added two TDs. Jaylan Knighton had three touchdowns (2 rush, 1 rec) for Miami (FL).
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Tar Heels are averaging 45.4 points per game for the season, sixth in FBS, and they are facing a Hurricanes defense that has surrendered 20.5 PPG (33rd). Meanwhile, Miami (FL) has scored 35.0 points a game this season, 38th in the country, and North Carolina is allowing 33.6 PPG (112th). The Tar Heels rank as one of the nation’s top teams in passing yards per game (319.6, 12th), while they are 38th in rushing yards (187.6). The Hurricanes are 94th in passing yards allowed per game (251.0) and 10th against the run (87.3). Miami (FL) is 40th in the nation in passing yards per game (273.0) and 45th in rushing (179.3). North Carolina’s defense has been most vulnerable on the ground, as the Tar Heels are 112th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (193.0). Against the pass, the Tar Heels are 102nd (257.8).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through five games, Drake Maye has thrown for 19 touchdowns (1 INT) and 318.8 yards per game to lead North Carolina in passing. In two away games this season, he has six TDs (1 INT) and an average of 318.0 yards passing. Omarion Hampton leads the team in rushing with an average of 58.6 yards a game over five games. He has five touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Bryson Nesbit is the Tar Heels’ leading receiver with 47.4 yards a game and three TDs. Tyler Van Dyke has four passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 200.2 yards per game through four games to lead Miami (FL). In three home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (3 INT) and an average of 194.7 yards. Henry Parrish Jr. has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 86.8 yards a game through four games. He has five total touchdowns, four rushing and one receiving. Xavier Restrepo has been the primary target in the Hurricanes’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and an 86.0 yard per game average through two appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
North Carolina (+140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
