Opponent Film Review- North Carolina

Lance Roffers
Lance Roffers
10 min read
Each week I will jump in the lab and attempt to dissect the upcoming opponents’ film in the series Opponent Film Review. North Carolina is coming off of a major win for their program against an SEC team in what was essentially a road game. Now they welcome back old friend Mack Brown in his first home game, at night, with their fans selling the game out in a matter of hours. They will be fired up to see the Canes come to town, but will their play back up their words? Let’s find out.

One of the things I talked about on the podcast was to use counters and misdirection to use the aggressiveness of UNC against them. Here, this is a simple swing pass that the entire defense runs to way too hard and opens a major cutback lane for the RB. This is exactly the type of play that DeeJay Dallas would feast upon.
1.webp


Here they use their best WR on a jet sweep fake (technically he went behind the QB, but I’m simplifying terms). They then have a read-option for the QB. The edge comes upfield and takes the QB. Both outside defenders take the WR and there is a TD if he breaks one tackle here. Tate on this exact play would draw the eye of the defense as well. Cam’Ron Harris and his speed and acceleration probably houses this play.
2.webp


I would love to see Miami add a wrinkle on this play here (another read-option with WR motion across). Have Jarren keep this ball as UNC is super aggressive attacking the RB and flow down the LOS. If the slot defender comes for the QB, he has an easy little pass to the WR on the sideline. If not, he’s got two blockers on one guy outside.
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UNC on defense relies a lot on their LB’s and blitzing to create pressure. Here, they drop that edge into the flat and cross-dog blitz their two LB’s into the A-gap. Surratt comes free and has a clean hit on the QB (who gets away). Surratt was their QB in last year’s game but looks to have taken to LB very naturally.
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This is known as a trap block on the edge by the RT. He looks as though he’s going to leave the edge unblocked and make his way to the LB, but then blocks down on a designed edge run. The free LB is held by the read option and the give to the RB allows him to go up the far sideline for a big play. You can see the space UNC is creating the wide side of the field with the WR almost on the sideline.
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UNC bases almost the entirety of their running game on shotgun reads. They like to pull the QB and use him in the run game as well. It is imperative that the interior of the DL play well and that when Miami gets a chance to hit Howell, they need to do so repeatedly. All game long the defense needs to punish him. Their passing game relies on flood concepts and getting players into space underneath and then running-after-the-catch. It’s a very similar style of offense to what you see from most Air-Raid teams that like to use extreme pace on offense. (Not pictured)

A theme that was a big issue for UNC last year was missed tackles. Thus far in this game, you can really see that is going to be an issue again. Miami’s RB’s are going to need to make a man miss at times during this game as UNC is extremely blitz heavy in their run defense. Here a free blitzer has the RB right in the hole and just misses him as the RB goes for a first down.
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Free blitzing LB in the hole, the edge is set on the outside. RB spins off this tackle and goes for a TD. Miami has to establish the running game against this team and make them tackle all game long.
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This defensive front loves to play games up front and do a lot of X-stunts, or fire blitzes. The X-stunt is when they cross each other, and the fire is when starts upfield and then comes underneath right behind another defender who has gone upfield already. It creates confusion on the line and forces OL to pass defenders off correctly. Thus far, it has been more important to have a good interior line than T’s because UNC plays the most games off the interior. Could be game plan specific, but that’s what I’m seeing.
8.webp


Defensively, I want to see Miami jump the first read with their LB’s. Whether that be to stay in the slant lane outside or jump the hook zone, Howell is a one-read guy. He has to actually see it open before he throws it. If that outside LB stays outside and follows the eyes of the QB here this is a pick. Instead, he flows down too far because of the motion and gives up the throwing lane. A QB who throws with anticipation is already throwing this ball, instead Howell has to actually “see” the WR open, which gets him to pause a beat. That opens up chances for picks from your LB’s and S’s.
9.webp


UNC pulls their OL on the majority of plays. They’re pulling their G, or their T, or C (or both) on inside-zone runs over and over again. The LB’s are a major key in this game. They have to fill the right gap and tackle for us to shut down this run game. It’s a nice scheme that UNC is running. I like their offense. Block down on right-side, pull across and kick out block. Split zone. The LB’s are trying to communicate mid-play.
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LB stays back on play-fake, follows eyes of QB into hook zone (slant behind him) and has a TD if he just catches the ball. It’s important that Miami finish these plays in this game.
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Miami needs to pressure UNC with their front-4 or with occasional blitzes. Howell drops his eyes and looks at the rush almost every time the first read isn’t there. I’m sure my North Carolina counterpart writing his article right now is saying the same thing about Jarren as well. (Not pictured)

Defensively, UNC has blitzed on every third down thus far. They like to pressure in the A-gaps, which has made Jake Bentley have incredibly happy feet. I absolutely believe the game plan will be the same against Jarren and Miami.

I’ve been waiting for a good angle to show the mesh point and the way UNC really plays to get their runs on cutbacks. This puts #53 in such a tough position because they are cutting on the backside and giving their RB a designed cutback. #6 can’t crash this because Howell can really run. It’s imperative that the backside DT keep his feet on these interior runs. UNC is making up for a lack of physical talent with a lot of schematic adjustments. They’ve assembled a good coaching staff.
12.webp


He pulls his eyes down any time you pressure him, but especially if you get middle pressure. Need the DT’s to play well against this offense.
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This is good coaching. The entire game this play has been over-and-over again pull that G around, inside give, have the outside or a cutback. Get to a 4th down play and it looks exactly the same as it has all game long. Only this time, this is a sprint option towards the numbers. Defense has a guy out there, but can’t defend the pitch and it’s an easy 1st down.
14.webp


South Carolina had two long returns on special teams (one punt, one kickoff). Miami has a chance to hit a big play in the return game in this one. (Not pictured)

Busted coverage in the seam where a young S never gets into the middle of the field (sound familiar?) and this goes for a TD to the TE. Miami has an opportunity to exploit this defense over the middle with their TE’s. Mallory should eat on a route like this.
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Tips the ball to himself for a TD on a fade route. This is a nice ball by Howell. He’s a pretty talented player.
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Howell completes this to his WR. He will lead you to the football with his eyes. Throws across his body and into coverage. If Miami speeds him up, gets pressure, they will get 3+ interceptions from this kid.
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Another fade for another TD. The kid can throw the fade route with touch.
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Keys to the game
  • Miami needs to be able to stop the run with their front-7. UNC ran for well over 200 yards against a pretty good South Carolina defense. I expect UNC to get their yards, but Miami needs to be able to tackle and get the RB down without committing an extra defender.
  • The LB’s need to stick to their keys and not jump the fake. UNC wants to show eye candy and then pull the ball and hit the slant behind it. There are chances to make plays if they just follow the eyes of the QB.
  • Miami must hit Howell every chance they get. This is the game to get back to nasty football. Miami was far too nice against Florida and this game I want to see violence. Make Howell regret the day he decided to play QB against this defense.
  • Offensively, Miami must communicate on the OL. North Carolina will blitz a ton in this game and most of it will be in the A-gaps. If they don’t communicate, it will lead to turnovers.
  • How does Miami handle the pressure and the atmosphere. They are staring 0-2 in the face and all of The New Miami stuff goes out the window. Will they respond, or they will show the familiar fold of recent history?
  • Break tackles. UNC will be fired up to play early, but if Miami matches that energy with physical play and violence running the ball, there will be broken tackles that accumulate into UNC folding down the stretch. Can Miami show that toughness?
Overall
UNC put some nice things on film in this game. They showed the ability to be physical in the run game and they showed that they have the ability to exploit mismatches as the game goes along. This team was better than I expected them to be based on how they played last year, but there are opportunities here as well.

Prediction
This is not going to be the easy game I had once hoped for. Mack Brown has hired two excellent coordinators who created an excellent game plan against South Carolina. Coaching in college matters a lot and this is not last year’s North Carolina team. That said, they do not have the DL talent that Florida had and I expect Miami will be able to run the ball and exploit missed tackles in this one. Expect Miami to grind this one out, get a few turnovers, and win the game 31-24.
 

Comments (25)

Each week I will jump in the lab and attempt to dissect the upcoming opponents’ film in the series Opponent Film Review. North Carolina is coming off of a major win for their program against an SEC team in what was essentially a road game. Now they welcome back old friend Mack Brown in his first home game, at night, with their fans selling the game out in a matter of hours. They will be fired up to see the Canes come to town, but will their play back up their words? Let’s find out.

One of the things I talked about on the podcast was to use counters and misdirection to use the aggressiveness of UNC against them. Here, this is a simple swing pass that the entire defense runs to way too hard and opens a major cutback lane for the RB. This is exactly the type of play that DeeJay Dallas would feast upon.
View attachment 96486

Here they use their best WR on a jet sweep fake (technically he went behind the QB, but I’m simplifying terms). They then have a read-option for the QB. The edge comes upfield and takes the QB. Both outside defenders take the WR and there is a TD if he breaks one tackle here. Tate on this exact play would draw the eye of the defense as well. Cam’Ron Harris and his speed and acceleration probably houses this play.
View attachment 96487

I would love to see Miami add a wrinkle on this play here (another read-option with WR motion across). Have Jarren keep this ball as UNC is super aggressive attacking the RB and flow down the LOS. If the slot defender comes for the QB, he has an easy little pass to the WR on the sideline. If not, he’s got two blockers on one guy outside.
View attachment 96488

UNC on defense relies a lot on their LB’s and blitzing to create pressure. Here, they drop that edge into the flat and cross-dog blitz their two LB’s into the A-gap. Surratt comes free and has a clean hit on the QB (who gets away). Surratt was their QB in last year’s game but looks to have taken to LB very naturally.
View attachment 96489

This is known as a trap block on the edge by the RT. He looks as though he’s going to leave the edge unblocked and make his way to the LB, but then blocks down on a designed edge run. The free LB is held by the read option and the give to the RB allows him to go up the far sideline for a big play. You can see the space UNC is creating the wide side of the field with the WR almost on the sideline.
View attachment 96490

UNC bases almost the entirety of their running game on shotgun reads. They like to pull the QB and use him in the run game as well. It is imperative that the interior of the DL play well and that when Miami gets a chance to hit Howell, they need to do so repeatedly. All game long the defense needs to punish him. Their passing game relies on flood concepts and getting players into space underneath and then running-after-the-catch. It’s a very similar style of offense to what you see from most Air-Raid teams that like to use extreme pace on offense. (Not pictured)

A theme that was a big issue for UNC last year was missed tackles. Thus far in this game, you can really see that is going to be an issue again. Miami’s RB’s are going to need to make a man miss at times during this game as UNC is extremely blitz heavy in their run defense. Here a free blitzer has the RB right in the hole and just misses him as the RB goes for a first down.
View attachment 96491

Free blitzing LB in the hole, the edge is set on the outside. RB spins off this tackle and goes for a TD. Miami has to establish the running game against this team and make them tackle all game long.
View attachment 96492

This defensive front loves to play games up front and do a lot of X-stunts, or fire blitzes. The X-stunt is when they cross each other, and the fire is when starts upfield and then comes underneath right behind another defender who has gone upfield already. It creates confusion on the line and forces OL to pass defenders off correctly. Thus far, it has been more important to have a good interior line than T’s because UNC plays the most games off the interior. Could be game plan specific, but that’s what I’m seeing.
View attachment 96493

Defensively, I want to see Miami jump the first read with their LB’s. Whether that be to stay in the slant lane outside or jump the hook zone, Howell is a one-read guy. He has to actually see it open before he throws it. If that outside LB stays outside and follows the eyes of the QB here this is a pick. Instead, he flows down too far because of the motion and gives up the throwing lane. A QB who throws with anticipation is already throwing this ball, instead Howell has to actually “see” the WR open, which gets him to pause a beat. That opens up chances for picks from your LB’s and S’s.
View attachment 96494

UNC pulls their OL on the majority of plays. They’re pulling their G, or their T, or C (or both) on inside-zone runs over and over again. The LB’s are a major key in this game. They have to fill the right gap and tackle for us to shut down this run game. It’s a nice scheme that UNC is running. I like their offense. Block down on right-side, pull across and kick out block. Split zone. The LB’s are trying to communicate mid-play.
View attachment 96495

LB stays back on play-fake, follows eyes of QB into hook zone (slant behind him) and has a TD if he just catches the ball. It’s important that Miami finish these plays in this game.
View attachment 96496

Miami needs to pressure UNC with their front-4 or with occasional blitzes. Howell drops his eyes and looks at the rush almost every time the first read isn’t there. I’m sure my North Carolina counterpart writing his article right now is saying the same thing about Jarren as well. (Not pictured)

Defensively, UNC has blitzed on every third down thus far. They like to pressure in the A-gaps, which has made Jake Bentley have incredibly happy feet. I absolutely believe the game plan will be the same against Jarren and Miami.

I’ve been waiting for a good angle to show the mesh point and the way UNC really plays to get their runs on cutbacks. This puts #53 in such a tough position because they are cutting on the backside and giving their RB a designed cutback. #6 can’t crash this because Howell can really run. It’s imperative that the backside DT keep his feet on these interior runs. UNC is making up for a lack of physical talent with a lot of schematic adjustments. They’ve assembled a good coaching staff.
View attachment 96497

He pulls his eyes down any time you pressure him, but especially if you get middle pressure. Need the DT’s to play well against this offense.
View attachment 96498

This is good coaching. The entire game this play has been over-and-over again pull that G around, inside give, have the outside or a cutback. Get to a 4th down play and it looks exactly the same as it has all game long. Only this time, this is a sprint option towards the numbers. Defense has a guy out there, but can’t defend the pitch and it’s an easy 1st down.
View attachment 96499

South Carolina had two long returns on special teams (one punt, one kickoff). Miami has a chance to hit a big play in the return game in this one. (Not pictured)

Busted coverage in the seam where a young S never gets into the middle of the field (sound familiar?) and this goes for a TD to the TE. Miami has an opportunity to exploit this defense over the middle with their TE’s. Mallory should eat on a route like this.
View attachment 96500

Tips the ball to himself for a TD on a fade route. This is a nice ball by Howell. He’s a pretty talented player.
View attachment 96501

Howell completes this to his WR. He will lead you to the football with his eyes. Throws across his body and into coverage. If Miami speeds him up, gets pressure, they will get 3+ interceptions from this kid.
View attachment 96502

Another fade for another TD. The kid can throw the fade route with touch.
View attachment 96503

Keys to the game
  • Miami needs to be able to stop the run with their front-7. UNC ran for well over 200 yards against a pretty good South Carolina defense. I expect UNC to get their yards, but Miami needs to be able to tackle and get the RB down without committing an extra defender.
  • The LB’s need to stick to their keys and not jump the fake. UNC wants to show eye candy and then pull the ball and hit the slant behind it. There are chances to make plays if they just follow the eyes of the QB.
  • Miami must hit Howell every chance they get. This is the game to get back to nasty football. Miami was far too nice against Florida and this game I want to see violence. Make Howell regret the day he decided to play QB against this defense.
  • Offensively, Miami must communicate on the OL. North Carolina will blitz a ton in this game and most of it will be in the A-gaps. If they don’t communicate, it will lead to turnovers.
  • How does Miami handle the pressure and the atmosphere. They are staring 0-2 in the face and all of The New Miami stuff goes out the window. Will they respond, or they will show the familiar fold of recent history?
  • Break tackles. UNC will be fired up to play early, but if Miami matches that energy with physical play and violence running the ball, there will be broken tackles that accumulate into UNC folding down the stretch. Can Miami show that toughness?
Overall
UNC put some nice things on film in this game. They showed the ability to be physical in the run game and they showed that they have the ability to exploit mismatches as the game goes along. This team was better than I expected them to be based on how they played last year, but there are opportunities here as well.

Prediction
This is not going to be the easy game I had once hoped for. Mack Brown has hired two excellent coordinators who created an excellent game plan against South Carolina. Coaching in college matters a lot and this is not last year’s North Carolina team. That said, they do not have the DL talent that Florida had and I expect Miami will be able to run the ball and exploit missed tackles in this one. Expect Miami to grind this one out, get a few turnovers, and win the game 31-24.

Here. We. Go.
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Each week I will jump in the lab and attempt to dissect the upcoming opponents’ film in the series Opponent Film Review. North Carolina is coming off of a major win for their program against an SEC team in what was essentially a road game. Now they welcome back old friend Mack Brown in his first home game, at night, with their fans selling the game out in a matter of hours. They will be fired up to see the Canes come to town, but will their play back up their words? Let’s find out.

One of the things I talked about on the podcast was to use counters and misdirection to use the aggressiveness of UNC against them. Here, this is a simple swing pass that the entire defense runs to way too hard and opens a major cutback lane for the RB. This is exactly the type of play that DeeJay Dallas would feast upon.
View attachment 96486

Here they use their best WR on a jet sweep fake (technically he went behind the QB, but I’m simplifying terms). They then have a read-option for the QB. The edge comes upfield and takes the QB. Both outside defenders take the WR and there is a TD if he breaks one tackle here. Tate on this exact play would draw the eye of the defense as well. Cam’Ron Harris and his speed and acceleration probably houses this play.
View attachment 96487

I would love to see Miami add a wrinkle on this play here (another read-option with WR motion across). Have Jarren keep this ball as UNC is super aggressive attacking the RB and flow down the LOS. If the slot defender comes for the QB, he has an easy little pass to the WR on the sideline. If not, he’s got two blockers on one guy outside.
View attachment 96488

UNC on defense relies a lot on their LB’s and blitzing to create pressure. Here, they drop that edge into the flat and cross-dog blitz their two LB’s into the A-gap. Surratt comes free and has a clean hit on the QB (who gets away). Surratt was their QB in last year’s game but looks to have taken to LB very naturally.
View attachment 96489

This is known as a trap block on the edge by the RT. He looks as though he’s going to leave the edge unblocked and make his way to the LB, but then blocks down on a designed edge run. The free LB is held by the read option and the give to the RB allows him to go up the far sideline for a big play. You can see the space UNC is creating the wide side of the field with the WR almost on the sideline.
View attachment 96490

UNC bases almost the entirety of their running game on shotgun reads. They like to pull the QB and use him in the run game as well. It is imperative that the interior of the DL play well and that when Miami gets a chance to hit Howell, they need to do so repeatedly. All game long the defense needs to punish him. Their passing game relies on flood concepts and getting players into space underneath and then running-after-the-catch. It’s a very similar style of offense to what you see from most Air-Raid teams that like to use extreme pace on offense. (Not pictured)

A theme that was a big issue for UNC last year was missed tackles. Thus far in this game, you can really see that is going to be an issue again. Miami’s RB’s are going to need to make a man miss at times during this game as UNC is extremely blitz heavy in their run defense. Here a free blitzer has the RB right in the hole and just misses him as the RB goes for a first down.
View attachment 96491

Free blitzing LB in the hole, the edge is set on the outside. RB spins off this tackle and goes for a TD. Miami has to establish the running game against this team and make them tackle all game long.
View attachment 96492

This defensive front loves to play games up front and do a lot of X-stunts, or fire blitzes. The X-stunt is when they cross each other, and the fire is when starts upfield and then comes underneath right behind another defender who has gone upfield already. It creates confusion on the line and forces OL to pass defenders off correctly. Thus far, it has been more important to have a good interior line than T’s because UNC plays the most games off the interior. Could be game plan specific, but that’s what I’m seeing.
View attachment 96493

Defensively, I want to see Miami jump the first read with their LB’s. Whether that be to stay in the slant lane outside or jump the hook zone, Howell is a one-read guy. He has to actually see it open before he throws it. If that outside LB stays outside and follows the eyes of the QB here this is a pick. Instead, he flows down too far because of the motion and gives up the throwing lane. A QB who throws with anticipation is already throwing this ball, instead Howell has to actually “see” the WR open, which gets him to pause a beat. That opens up chances for picks from your LB’s and S’s.
View attachment 96494

UNC pulls their OL on the majority of plays. They’re pulling their G, or their T, or C (or both) on inside-zone runs over and over again. The LB’s are a major key in this game. They have to fill the right gap and tackle for us to shut down this run game. It’s a nice scheme that UNC is running. I like their offense. Block down on right-side, pull across and kick out block. Split zone. The LB’s are trying to communicate mid-play.
View attachment 96495

LB stays back on play-fake, follows eyes of QB into hook zone (slant behind him) and has a TD if he just catches the ball. It’s important that Miami finish these plays in this game.
View attachment 96496

Miami needs to pressure UNC with their front-4 or with occasional blitzes. Howell drops his eyes and looks at the rush almost every time the first read isn’t there. I’m sure my North Carolina counterpart writing his article right now is saying the same thing about Jarren as well. (Not pictured)

Defensively, UNC has blitzed on every third down thus far. They like to pressure in the A-gaps, which has made Jake Bentley have incredibly happy feet. I absolutely believe the game plan will be the same against Jarren and Miami.

I’ve been waiting for a good angle to show the mesh point and the way UNC really plays to get their runs on cutbacks. This puts #53 in such a tough position because they are cutting on the backside and giving their RB a designed cutback. #6 can’t crash this because Howell can really run. It’s imperative that the backside DT keep his feet on these interior runs. UNC is making up for a lack of physical talent with a lot of schematic adjustments. They’ve assembled a good coaching staff.
View attachment 96497

He pulls his eyes down any time you pressure him, but especially if you get middle pressure. Need the DT’s to play well against this offense.
View attachment 96498

This is good coaching. The entire game this play has been over-and-over again pull that G around, inside give, have the outside or a cutback. Get to a 4th down play and it looks exactly the same as it has all game long. Only this time, this is a sprint option towards the numbers. Defense has a guy out there, but can’t defend the pitch and it’s an easy 1st down.
View attachment 96499

South Carolina had two long returns on special teams (one punt, one kickoff). Miami has a chance to hit a big play in the return game in this one. (Not pictured)

Busted coverage in the seam where a young S never gets into the middle of the field (sound familiar?) and this goes for a TD to the TE. Miami has an opportunity to exploit this defense over the middle with their TE’s. Mallory should eat on a route like this.
View attachment 96500

Tips the ball to himself for a TD on a fade route. This is a nice ball by Howell. He’s a pretty talented player.
View attachment 96501

Howell completes this to his WR. He will lead you to the football with his eyes. Throws across his body and into coverage. If Miami speeds him up, gets pressure, they will get 3+ interceptions from this kid.
View attachment 96502

Another fade for another TD. The kid can throw the fade route with touch.
View attachment 96503

Keys to the game
  • Miami needs to be able to stop the run with their front-7. UNC ran for well over 200 yards against a pretty good South Carolina defense. I expect UNC to get their yards, but Miami needs to be able to tackle and get the RB down without committing an extra defender.
  • The LB’s need to stick to their keys and not jump the fake. UNC wants to show eye candy and then pull the ball and hit the slant behind it. There are chances to make plays if they just follow the eyes of the QB.
  • Miami must hit Howell every chance they get. This is the game to get back to nasty football. Miami was far too nice against Florida and this game I want to see violence. Make Howell regret the day he decided to play QB against this defense.
  • Offensively, Miami must communicate on the OL. North Carolina will blitz a ton in this game and most of it will be in the A-gaps. If they don’t communicate, it will lead to turnovers.
  • How does Miami handle the pressure and the atmosphere. They are staring 0-2 in the face and all of The New Miami stuff goes out the window. Will they respond, or they will show the familiar fold of recent history?
  • Break tackles. UNC will be fired up to play early, but if Miami matches that energy with physical play and violence running the ball, there will be broken tackles that accumulate into UNC folding down the stretch. Can Miami show that toughness?
Overall
UNC put some nice things on film in this game. They showed the ability to be physical in the run game and they showed that they have the ability to exploit mismatches as the game goes along. This team was better than I expected them to be based on how they played last year, but there are opportunities here as well.

Prediction
This is not going to be the easy game I had once hoped for. Mack Brown has hired two excellent coordinators who created an excellent game plan against South Carolina. Coaching in college matters a lot and this is not last year’s North Carolina team. That said, they do not have the DL talent that Florida had and I expect Miami will be able to run the ball and exploit missed tackles in this one. Expect Miami to grind this one out, get a few turnovers, and win the game 31-24.

Your conclusions are interesting, at least to me. I came away from your breakdown with the feeling that Miami is well suited to stopping what UNC does on offense, and some of the big plays that NC got away with against SC, are very unlikely to slip through our hands in the same way.

You say that SC is a "pretty good" defense, but last year they lost 28-0 to a UVA squad that we held to 16-13, and gave up 367 yards rushing on 5.9 per carry to the same UF team that we just held to 50 and 1.8 per.

I get that they looked better than maybe you expected, but we should also not forget that their offense came out with a decently creative game plan and moved the ball on us initially last year before the defense settled in and essentially won the game all by themselves. I don't think we need to change our game plan from the UF game one iota. Not one iota. Keep Howell in the pocket, stay true to our pass rush lanes and stop the run first, then get to the QB. As you say, he needs to see it open and he's a one read QB. He will get hit, and if we can take away that first read and take away his ability to run for yards, we'll own ALL of the space in his head without paying a dime of rent.

On offense, their blitzing and stunting plays right into our hands. We should be able to run on them with relative consistency. If we can grind out yards consistently at 3-4 yards a pop, limit our need to pass in order to gain first downs and pass only when we want, the big plays will come, both on the ground and in the air.

My one concern about this game is purely in our ability to get plays in to the huddle in a timely manner, avoid false start and delay of game penalties, and stay ahead of the chains. If we avoid procedural errors on offense, we should be able to run the ball and stay ahead of the chains.

Prediction:
49-13, and I'm sitting back with my feet on the coffee table, sipping my rum and coke and laughing my *** off like De Niro in the movie theater in Cape Fear while watching Kosi hand off to Lingard for the last 10 minutes and 14 points of the game.
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Your conclusions are interesting, at least to me. I came away from your breakdown with the feeling that Miami is well suited to stopping what UNC does on offense, and some of the big plays that NC got away with against SC, are very unlikely to slip through our hands in the same way.

You say that SC is a "pretty good" defense, but last year they lost 28-0 to a UVA squad that we held to 16-13, and gave up 367 yards rushing on 5.9 per carry to the same UF team that we just held to 50 and 1.8 per.

I get that they looked better than maybe you expected, but we should also not forget that their offense came out with a decently creative game plan and moved the ball on us initially last year before the defense settled in and essentially won the game all by themselves. I don't think we need to change our game plan from the UF game one iota. Not one iota. Keep Howell in the pocket, stay true to our pass rush lanes and stop the run first, then get to the QB. As you say, he needs to see it open and he's a one read QB. He will get hit, and if we can take away that first read and take away his ability to run for yards, we'll own ALL of the space in his head without paying a dime of rent.

On offense, their blitzing and stunting plays right into our hands. We should be able to run on them with relative consistency. If we can grind out yards consistently at 3-4 yards a pop, limit our need to pass in order to gain first downs and pass only when we want, the big plays will come, both on the ground and in the air.

My one concern about this game is purely in our ability to get plays in to the huddle in a timely manner, avoid false start and delay of game penalties, and stay ahead of the chains. If we avoid procedural errors on offense, we should be able to run the ball and stay ahead of the chains.

Prediction:
49-13, and I'm sitting back with my feet on the coffee table, sipping my rum and coke and laughing my *** off like De Niro in the movie theater in Cape Fear while watching Kosi hand off to Lingard for the last 10 minutes and 14 points of the game.
agreed love the spread.... i know it isn't the same unc team but i still like us to win by 17+ but wouldn't be surprised if it's a lil closer
 
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24 points is too many to give up if the Miami defense wants to be championship caliber. I want to see NC at 17 or under. Unless its a meaningless end of game score to get over 17.
 
I'll say I was impressed with the UNC safties. Those two cats could cover pretty well and fill alleys hard. Other than that, if we can run on UF we should be able to move the ball real well against this front 7.
 
I agree that UNC has made some solid coaching hires with both coordinators. They're schematically solid but I just don't think they have the horses. The USCe game gave us plenty of glimpses of little errors that might not have killed them against the gamecocks but will certainly kill them against better teams. A missed tackle in the hole might only cost them 10 yards in week one, it could cost them a touchdown in week 2. Throws into traffic that got knocked down (or caught by the receiver) in week one will be intercepted in week 2. It took all they had plus some luck to comeback against South Carolina, it's going to take more to beat Miami.
 
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I agree that UNC has made some solid coaching hires with both coordinators. They're schematically solid but I just don't think they have the horses. The USCe game gave us plenty of glimpses of little errors that might not have killed them against the gamecocks but will certainly kill them against better teams. A missed tackle in the hole might only cost them 10 yards in week one, it could cost them a touchdown in week 2. Throws into traffic that got knocked down (or caught by the receiver) in week one will be intercepted in week 2. It took all they had plus some luck to comeback against South Carolina, it's going to take more to beat Miami.
Hey at least they'll have an entire sold-out stadium to disappoint – which is almost as good as a UM W
 
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Now is the time for Enos to outcoach NC's defensive coordinator. Miami has enough elite playmakers on every offensive set, to find mismatches all over the field. There should be wide open receivers and holes for the RB's and QB to run through. Defense will be solid. Take away the run and make them throw the ball.
 
great write up. I don't see them scoring 24 points on us unless we commit turnovers in our red zone..ie the fumbled punt. Florida has a better offense and they could not put up but 7 points on drives (I don't count the first td breakaway as a true drive for them cause the **** wr was holding our db and that should have been called and the td called back) that didn't include us turning over the ball in our own half or the refs missing false starts that gave them shorter yardage.
 
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UNC definitely deserves our attention and respect. And I think Howell will eventually be a **** of a qb, but I don't think they have the horses to compete with us for 4 quarters, especially a team that needs a win badly coming off a loss to a rival. Enos' gameplan and how our o line reacts to their blitzes will be keys to the game. Jarren can only get better and I think we'll cut down on the penalties. Miami 31-17.
 
Just don't get why you'd say, "almost as good", unless you want a loss.

And I'm always relaxed.
I said UNC disappointing a sold out home crowd is almost as good as a canes W. Which means UNC loses in both scenarios.
 
Plain and simple we just have tons of talent on Offense. Enos has to gameplan the game to exploit all of our talent. What we have to watch out for are Special team turnovers. And simple ability to execute. Our Defense will give up a few points maybe 20 but our Offense can score 40. Watch for the return of Mr. Lingard.
 
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