The Miami Hurricanes will try to avoid their first 0-2 start since 1978 when they travel to North Carolina on Saturday night.
The Miami Hurricanes have defeated North Carolina the last two seasons. The 47-10 victory by Miami at Hard Rock Stadium over North Carolina was one of the Hurricanes best defensive performances in three years in the Manny Diaz defense. The Miami defense scored three touchdowns in the victory.
Miami had 14 tackles for loss and five sacks in the victory over the Tar Heels last season. North Carolina is a changed team under Mack Brown in 2019. Brown returned to Chapel Hill where he previously coached from 1988-97. North Carolina allowed six tackles for loss and three sacks in their season-opening win over South Carolina.
The Miami Hurricanes trip to North Carolina reunites Brown and Miami head coach Manny Diaz. Diaz was the defensive coordinator at Texas under Mack Brown from 2011-13. The first-year Miami head coach was fired two games in the 2013 season after the Longhorns allowed over 500 yards in a loss at BYU.
North Carolina is led by Freshman star quarterback Sam Howell. Howell led North Carolina back from a 20-9 deficit entering the fourth quarter in a 24-20 season-opening victory over South Carolina. On defense, the Tar Heels are led by linebacker Chazz Surratt who recorded 12 tackles, a TFL and a sack against the Gamecocks.
Surratt played QB against Miami last season. He was 4-10 for 10 yards with three interceptions. Surratt had success against the Hurricanes on the ground. He ran nine times for 69 yards and the Tar Heels only touchdown in the blowout loss.