What to expect from North Carolina

After losing a tough one against Florida State due to a blocked extra point, Miami prepares for a North Carolina team that managed to beat the Seminoles on a last second field goal.

Similar to Miami’s last opponent the Tar Heels are coming off a loss and will look to get its offense back on track. North Carolina led by junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky managed to only score three points in the loss against Virginia Tech. That is the worst offensive output North Carolina has had in Larry Fedora’s tenure there.

The weather conditions were far from ideal for the style of offense the Tar Heels like to run, but you can not expect them to play like that again. It was just last season when UNC put 59 points on Miami, which produced this moment that I am sure Miami fans still remember.

North Carolina relies heavily on its passing game, but against Virginia Tech it simply did not produce. Although the Tar Heels only had 58 passing yards in that game, they are still coming into the Miami game averaging nearly 300 passing yards a game.

UNC has averaged 125.5 rushing yards a game this season, and it is still unclear if their starting running back Elijah Hood will play after missing the Virginia Tech game due to injury. On Monday, Fedora said that he expects Hood to play against Miami, but he would not know until he sees him practice. Hood had a stunning sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns. With half the season already over, Hood has 338 rushing yards and only one 100-yard rushing performance.

Miami’s defense has exceeded expectations this season, but will go against a UNC offense that can put up points in a hurry. It will be interesting to see how Miami safety Jamal Carter’s absence will affect the game, as he will have to sit the first half after being ejected from the Florida State game due to targeting.