North Carolina hosts the top-ranked Hurricanes on Saturday night in a game where Miami looks to remain undefeated on the season.
Miami enters at 7-0 and averaging 49 points per game, while the Tar Heels are 4-3 and looking to play the role of spoiler under coach Bill Belichick.
With both teams relying on explosive skill players, three outcomes stand out if the matchup unfolds as expected.
Toney and Shipp reach 250 combined receiving yards
Malachi Toney has been the most productive receiver in the country this season, recording 66 catches for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns through seven games. He followed a 154-yard, two-touchdown performance against Florida State with a school-record 16 catches for 194 yards and three scores against Pittsburgh.
Jordan Shipp has been the primary option in North Carolina's passing attack, totaling 41 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns. Over his last four games he has caught 28 passes for 379 yards and both of his scores, including 109 yards against Notre Dame and 102 against Syracuse.
Miami's defense has allowed 239.1 passing yards per game, which leaves room for Shipp to produce against a secondary that has faced injuries on the back end. Toney has cleared 150 yards three already and averages 136 receiving yards per game.
A strong outing from both, even if neither reaches his season high, would put the pair at or above 250 combined yards.
Mallory outrushes Fletcher and scores twice
Javian Mallory has emerged as a consistent threat in Miami's backfield, carrying 59 times for 444 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per attempt.
He has outgained Mark Fletcher Jr. in each of the last two games, rushing for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Florida State and adding 47 yards and two more scores against Pittsburgh. Fletcher, the more experienced back, has 81 carries for 414 yards and seven touchdowns this season, but his production has been more limited in recent weeks, including just 41 yards on 13 carries against the Panthers.
Mallory has scored in three of his last four games and has shown the ability to break longer runs when the offensive line gets movement at the line of scrimmage.
If Miami's ground game remains productive against a North Carolina defense that has been more effective against the pass than the run, Mallory is positioned to lead the team in rushing for a third consecutive game and reach the end zone twice.
Miami scores at least 40 and Mensah goes for over 300 passing yards
Darian Mensah has completed 81.4% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 22 touchdowns and one interception while averaging more than 307 passing yards per game. Miami has scored at least 41 points in six of its seven games, with the only sub-40 outing coming in a 33-20 win at Wake Forest. The Hurricanes rank first nationally in scoring and total offense, and their running game has produced 20 touchdowns while averaging 211 yards per game.
North Carolina defense has been solid this season, allowing just 20.9 points per game, but the Tar Heels haven't faced an offense with this level of efficiency. The Hurricanes have already shown they can generate points and if they get to 40, Mensah is practically guaranteed to break the 300-yard mark.
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