Getting Diaz his first win as a head coach on Saturday is important to the Miami season. The Hurricanes have not started a season 0-2 since 1977. Starting the season with two Power Five opponents has been rare for Miami. The 2012 season was the last time the Hurricanes began the season against Power Five opponents.
Miami defeated Boston College 41-32 to begin the season. They lost 52-13 on the road at Kansas State week two. The first two games of 2019 mark the first time the Hurricanes have began the season with two games away from home since 2005. The Hurricanes began 2005 with a loss at Florida State and a win at Clemson.
The Hurricanes are going to have to play much cleaner against North Carolina than they did against Florida. Fourteen penalties and ten sacks in their first true road game of 2019 is a recipe for a loss. Miami has to find a way to not beat themselves. Not being able to convert turnovers into points was critical against Florida.
Miami had a plus-three turnover margin against Florida. It was the Gators who had a seven to three advantage in points off turnovers. The ability of the Miami defense to produce three touchdowns last season got the Hurricanes crowd into the game and led them to victory. Miami only had a 354-329 edge in total yards last season.