Miami Hurricanes-North Carolina: Predictions, odds, TV
No. 25 Miami (4-1) at No. 12 North Carolina (5-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Latest line: North Carolina is favored by 3 1/2 points
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist: North Carolina 34, Miami 23
Undefeated North Carolina would have been favored to win this game on merit this season. They’ve been that good. The wild card is how Miami responds to Mario Cristobal’s coaching blunder in a devastating home loss to Georgia Tech last week. Does it distract the Hurricanes? Unite them? Either way, this is a tough game for the underdog Hurricanes.
Adam Lichtenstein, Hurricanes Writer: North Carolina 28, Miami 24
Truth be told, no one knows what will happen this Saturday. Will the Hurricanes rebound and beat the No. 12 Tar Heels on the road? It’s certainly possible. Will Miami crumble in the wake of its still baffling loss to Georgia Tech and suffer a blowout? Maybe. But beating North Carolina was always going to be a tough task. We will see the mental fortitude of this year’s team in Chapel Hill.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor: North Carolina 30, Miami 23
What was almost as astonishing as Mario Cristobal’s blunder in the waning seconds of the loss to Georgia Tech, was that Tyler Van Dyke threw three interceptions and that the Hurricanes allowed the Yellow Jackets to drive 74 yards in 24 seconds with no timeouts for the winning score. Miami faces a much tougher opponent this week as North Carolina, led by standout quarterback Drake Maye, has scored more than 30 points in its first five games. Its defense is also playing at a high level.
