Miami Hurricanes Football: A Preview of UNC

Sep 29, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Giovani Bernard (26) carries the ball against the Idaho Vandals in the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-US PRESSWIRE

Miami (4-2) is coming off of a 41-3 blowout versus Notre Dame.  UNC (4-2) had an impressive 48-34 win against Virginia Tech.

The following notes are from GoHeels.com:

- After watching the ‘Canes defense implode against the Irish, Tar Heels RB Giovani Bernard has to be salivating at the mouth.  Miami gave up nearly 400 rushing yards to Notre Dame and Bernard ran for 262 yards with one touchdown against a typically good Bud Foster defense.  The sophomore RB was named ACC Offensive Back of the Week and his 262-yard performance “is the fifth highest single-game rushing total in North Carolina history…”

- Against the Hokies, “Bernard surpassed his previous best of 165 yards set last year against Duke, and nobody has rushed for more yards against a Frank Beamer-coached Virginia Tech team.”  Granted the Hokies appeared to be overrated just a tad this year, however, rushing for a personal best 262 yards is still a worthy accomplishment – Virginia Tech or not.

- Bernard had two rushes of at least 50-yards against the Hokies, including a 62-yard touchdown dash on fourth-and-1 on the first play of the second half.

- Sophomore WR Sean Tapley was named ACC Specialist of the Week.  Tapley returned a kickoff 94-yards for a touchdown during the Tar Heels win against Virginia Tech.  He finished the game with four kickoff returns for 152 yards.

- North Carolina’s place-kicker, Casey Barth, hit two field goals of 44 and 40-yards, respectively.

- The Heels gained at least 500 total yards for the third time under new coach Larry Fedora.

- An interesting note: Prior to Virginia Tech, “the Tar Heels outscored their previous three opponents at Kenan Stadium by a combined 155-6 and hadn’t allowed a touchdown at home all season.”

- QB Bryn Renner is completing 63% of his passes and has thrown for 1,616 yards.

- WR Eric Ebron is leading the Heels in receptions, hauling in 19 catches for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns.

When: Saturday Oct. 13, 2:30 pm ET

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.

Television: ESPNU

Favorite: Oddsmaker lists UNC as a 6.5 point favorite