The last time the Hurricanes ventured north to Chapel Hill the #2 (BCS) Canes were shocked by North Carolina 31-28. That result probably saved coach John Bunting's job for an extra two years as Carolina has consistently underperformed since the departure of Mack Brown to Texas after the 1998 season. That game in 2004 sent the Hurricane program into a tailspin that they have yet to recover from, despite some mirages such as the 2005 crushing of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the win earlier this season against Texas A&M.
Miami enters the game at 4-1 (1-0 in the ACC) while the Tar Heels are 1-4 (0-2 in the ACC). However, it is hard to believe Miami is favored to win this game. Most discussed this week by the media has been the Butch Davis factor, with the former Miami assistant and Head Coach now leading Carolina. But more importantly is Miami's 1-5 road record the past two seasons after going 23-3 on the road the previous five seasons. (one of those three losses was the aforementioned game against North Carolina.) Miami has lost its edge away from home and I quite frankly do not see the young Canes beating any Division IA opposition away from the Orange Bowl this season.
So obviously I like North Carolina to win the game. But their is more to it than Miami's poor road form. North Carolina has the #1 pass defense in the league, and also held Virginia's passing game in check despite being beat at home by the Cavs. Despite the recent bluster that Miami's passing game is coming around the Canes still rank 98th in the nation in pass offense. I love Marin Austin and the Carolina front seven. They are very under rated and will step up big in what is sure to be an emotional matchup tomorrow.
Miami's pass defense looked terrible against Duke and Oklahoma the only two offenses Miami has faced with good passing Quarterback play. Butch Davis loves his redshirt Freshman QB T.J. Yates and expect him to shred Miami's under performing and inexperienced secondary. It is notable to point out that Miami has lost just one game since 1979 to a team that has lost less than six games in a season (The loss to five win UVA last season.) Thus, if Miami does lose this game as I expect, North Carolina will likely be record wise the worst team to defeat Miami since I-AA Florida A&M in 1979. (Interestingly Miami beat #1 Penn State on the road three weeks after losing to FAMU that season).
PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 17 MIAMI 13
Friday, October 05, 2007
Miami-North Carolina Preview
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
7 comments:
You are a complete fool to think the contest will be so close. Canes football is either great or horrible with you. Any inbetween?
I side with the horrible version of the canes.
UNC 37 Miami 14
We've lost twice to ranked teams and three times by 7 points or less. I agree with you. Carolina wins tomorrow in a close shave.
It Will be nice to see the THUG U CoCanes go down for a nice ass whooping. The whole team will be back behind bars late Saturday Night and won't be released to practice until next gameday!
UNC 85 Miami 66
Ooops!! Not Basketball?
Gatorman you are a hoot. SI and ESPN must be mixing up their teams from Florida because all I see is about Gator arrests and Gators getting in trouble.
11 arrests since the national ttitle game in addition to you playing some guy who failed a drug test against South Carolina last year and he blocked the winning FG attempt. Then he was suspended for the game against Western Michigan. You guys don't have any right to pick on Miami or anyone else for that matter.
The CoCanes lost! Take that N_ _ _ !
Post a Comment