Miami football experience could help them past UNC in ACC Coastal
The return of 19 starters including 10 on offense could help the Miami football program win the ACC Coastal Division over North Carolina in 2021. Miami lost only tight end Brevin Jordan as an offensive starter. Four out of the top five receivers for North Carolina and 80 percent of their rushing yards departed after last season.
Both teams return quarterbacks who will be Heisman Trophy candidates in 2021. D’Eriq King has to overcome a torn ACL for Miami in December entering the 2021 season. King is on schedule with his rehab according to the Hurricanes staff. Sam Howell returns in his third season as the starting QB for the Tar Heels.
North Carolina lighting up a school record gained by the Tar Heels and allowed by the Hurricanes 778 total yards has been frequently discussed throughout the offseason. Howell is the only Tar Heel returning in 2021 who did most of the damage at Hard Rock Stadium in December. Howell will have new targets in 2021.
Running backs Michael Carter and Javontae Williams and wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome will begin their NFL careers in 2021. Compare that to the Miami football team who lost Jordan, but added WR Charleston Rambo from Oklahoma to their receiving corps in 2021. Will Mallory will replace Jordan at TE.
North Carolina is projected by most college football analysts and experts to win the ACC Coastal Division title in 2021. Analysts and experts who are picking Miami point to the lost production UNC has from their 2020 offense. The Miami offense should continue to evolve while the UNC offense will need more time to gel in 2021.
The Hurricanes play at the Tar Heels on October 16. Many expect Miami at North Carolina to be the defacto Coastal Division Championship Game. The winner between the Hurricanes and Tar Heels will have the upper hand in the race to likely play Clemson in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte in December.