Miami Hurricanes 2023 season preview: Game 6 North Carolina
With three of their last four matchups decided by three points, the rivalry between former ACC Coastal Division foes Miami and North Carolina has been as fierce as it’s ever been in recent years.
Although the Hurricanes have lost four consecutive games to the Tar Heels, the rivalry has been extremely competitive, with a handful of contests coming down to the final possession in games that could have gone either way.
Come Oct. 14, when Miami travels to Chapel Hill for the Canes’ first true road test of 2023, they’ll look to snap that four-game skid, but it won’t be an easy task again against veteran head coach Mack Brown, who led his squad to an ACC Championship appearance while finishing off the season with a 9-5 record.
Led by 2022 ACC player of the year, quarterback Drake Maye, the Hurricanes will look to slow down the Heisman Trophy candidate who racked up 4,321 pass yards and 38 TDs with 698 rush yards and seven more scores. While UNC returns six starters from last year on the offensive side of the ball, including lead back Elijah Green (558 yards, 8 TDs), they will be without two of their leading receivers from last season, Josh Downs (94 catches, 1,029 yards, 11 TDs) and Antione Green (434 catches, 798 yards, 7 TDs).
Looking to fill the void left behind by the explosive duo will be Georgia Tech transfer Nate McCollum (655 yards, 3 TDs) and Kent State transfer Devontez Walker (921 yards, 11 TDs).
Defensively, the Tar Heels did not have the same success as the offense, as the team allowed 30.8 points and 436.5 yards per game. While they return seven starters on that side of the ball, the secondary took a big hit after losing defensive backs Storm Duck (3 INTs), Tony Grimes (7 PBU), and Cam’Ron Kelly (49 tackles, INT).
During the spring, UNC brought in defensive backs Alijah Huzzie (East Tennessee State), Armani Chatman (Virginia Tech), and Derrik Allen (Georgia Tech) to help secure things on the back end of the defense.
Up front at defensive line and linebacker, North Carolina returns six of seven starters as LB Cedric Gray (145 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 INTs) along with LB Power Echols (103 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception) look to flip the script on a defense that finished outside the top 100 in three major defensive teams stats (scoring defense No. 101, passing defense No. 115, and total defense No. 115).
Heading into this contest, most are expecting a barn burner between Miami’s new offense led by Shannon Dawson and Tyler Van Dyke and Maye, but the key to this matchup will likely be which defense can come up with the most stops at the most crucial times.
With new Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry known for drawing up crazy blitz packages and hard-to-read coverages, his role in the contest will be key to slowing down UNC’s offense and helping the Hurricanes secure a huge road victory that could potentially help the team build momentum heading into arguably their toughest opponent all season, Clemson.
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