Miami at North Carolina: 10/16/21 College Football Picks and Predictions

The Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels face off on Saturday in an ACC college football showdown at Kenan Memorial Stadium. When these two teams faced off in 2020, North Carolina won 62-26. The Hurricanes allowed over 500 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. 

Miami is having another disappointing season and they currently sit with a 2-3 record overall. In the last game against Virginia, it was a missed field goal as time expired that led them to a two-point victory. Miami is averaging 30.4 points while the defense is giving up 27 points. Starting quarterback D’Eriq King is out for the season with a shoulder injury, and that is a big problem for this offense. Tyler Van Dyke has stepped in and in the last game he threw for 203 yards and a touchdown. The Hurricanes seemed to be a little more tentative in the last game with Van Dyke, and they need to trust him more in this game. 

On the other side of this matchup is the North Carolina Tar Heels who had dreams of an ACC championship coming into the season, but they have been mostly a disappointment sitting with a 3-3 record. The biggest issue with this team has been inconsistency, but they are coming off a victory over Duke 38-7. The Tar Heels are averaging 35.5 points while the defense is giving up 26.6 points. Under center is Sam Howell and he has thrown for 1,697 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He has also rushed for 396 yards and three touchdowns. In this game, North Carolina needs their defense to be strong, and continue off the success they had against Duke. .