Miami football needs good start versus North Carolina
The Miami football team has been outscored 38-6 in the first quarter the last two seasons by North Carolina. North Carolina won 28-25 in Chapel Hill in 2019 and 62-26 at Hard Rock Stadium last season. Miami needs to get off to a good start at Keenan Stadium on Saturday. Miami has not played well in the first quarter in 2021.
FBS opponents have outscored the Hurricanes 26 to nine this season. Michigan State is the only FBS opponent Miami has held scoreless in the first quarter in 2021. Miami ranks 117th nationally averaging 2.2 points per game in the first quarter against FBS opponents. Miami is 78th allowing 6.5 PPG in the first quarter.
The Rhett Lashlee Miami offense is made to wear teams down as the game goes on with the fast tempo. Miami has to find a way to start games quicker. Miami only had 10 yards on seven plays against Virginia in their 30-28 loss two weeks ago. North Carolina led Florida State 10-0 at the end of the first quarter in their last game.
The Tar Heels outgained the Seminoles 126-12 in the first quarter in a 35-25 loss. North Carolina is 16th nationally averaging 9.8 points per game in the first quarter. The Tar Heels are 24th nationally allowing 2.8 PPG in the first quarter. The second quarter has been the Achilles heel (no pun intended) for North Carolina this season.
#UNC has been outscored 69-30 in second quarters this season.
— R.L. Bynum (@r.l.bynum on Threads) (@RL_Bynum) October 9, 2021
The Miami football team is not much better than North Carolina in the second quarter. The Hurricanes are 96th averaging five PPG in the second quarter. Miami is 99th allowing a staggering 10.2 points per game in the second quarter against FBS opponents. The first half could be the key to the game.
North Carolina essentially put the game against Miami away by halftime last season. The Tar Heels led 34-10 at the half and kept pouring in on in the second half. After trailing 17-3 at the end of the first quarter in 2019 against North Carolina, Miami got back in the game with a 10-0 second-quarter advantage.
Next. Miami run defense will be tested again versus North Carolina. dark
A strong start will likely be critical for Miami on Saturday. If North Carolina controls the game in the first quarter, they will likely damage any confidence Miami brings on Saturday. Miami and North Carolina have been inconsistent this season. The Hurricanes and Tar Heels need to win on Saturday to help turn their seasons around.