Miami football path to victory limit UNC running
The best path to victory for the Miami football team on Saturday against North Carolina is to limit the Tar Heels running.
North Carolina has averaged 121.33 rushing yards per game in their three losses this season. The Tar Heels are averaging 260.3 rushing yards per game in their wins. Overall UNC is averaging 218.6 rushing yards per game. The best path for the Miami football team to defeat UNC is to slow their rushing offense.
Miami is allowing 173 rushing yards per game this season. The Hurricanes have given up 124.3 rushing yards per game in their wins and allowed 258 to Clemson in their one loss. Miami has kept their last three opponents under 4.0 yards per carry. Stopping UNC running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter will be critical.
Williams has 904 rushing yards, averages 6.7 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. Carter has 931 rushing yards, on 7.1 YPC and seven TDs. Carter and Willams are both adept out of the backfield. Carter has 23 receptions for 248 yards and two TDs and Williams 23 for 305 and three TDs.
It sounds counter-intuitive but the plan for Miami should be to make Sam Howell beat them. Miami is 42nd in run defense allowing 139.11 yards per game. If the Hurricanes would have kept their original schedule and did not play Clemson this season, they would rank 25th against the run.
North Carolina is 19th nationally overall in rushing offense. Clemson and Louisville were the only teams to run for over 200 yards against Miami. The Tigers, Cardinals, Florida State and Pittsburgh were the only teams to run for over 4.0 yards per carry against Miami this season.
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Miami is allowing 3.28 yards per carry in its last four games. If the Hurricanes can limit the Tar Heels on the ground it will give their defensive line a chance to get after Howell with the pass rush. North Carolina ranks 105th in the nation allowing 2.9 sacks per game. Miami is 21st averaging three sacks per game.