An ACC matchup kicks off the college football weekend with Thursday night’s contest between Miami and North Carolina.
The Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels are set to square off Thursday night in a conference matchup. Miami is 3-1 after a loss to LSU on opening weekend. North Carolina is 1-2 with their lone win against an ACC opponent.
Miami comes off it’s third straight win against what can be called “warm-up” games”. They enter the game as the 21st ranked team in the country. The biggest question for the Hurricanes and everyone planning on watching this game is who Mark Richt slates at quarterback. A week ago Richt pulled incumbent starter Malik Rosier and inserted redshirt freshman N’Kosi Perry. The offense seemed to spark after the move leading some to believe Perry has seized the reigns.
North Carolina got off to a 0-2 start with an ugly loss to East Carolina seemingly feeling like rock bottom. They avoided a 0-3 start only because of Hurricane Florence canceling the game against last season’s “National Champion” Central Florida. UNC squeaked out a win against the Pittsburgh Panthers in Week 4 for their first victory.
How to watch and bet on Miami vs. North Carolina
Date: Thursday, Sept. 27
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Miami, FL
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
TV Info: ESPN I Fubo TV
Odds: Miami -17.5
This Miami team looks vastly different after three weeks to find their rhythm. Their defense is as advertised, once again towards the top of the country in tackles for loss. Gerald Willis and company lead the way but there is talent on the back-end as well. Offensively, regardless of the quarterback, Miami’s running game should get going against a team allowing over 200 rushing yards per game.
North Carolina is a strong team but they will not be able to hang with this Miami team. A year ago the Tar Heels lost to the Hurricanes 24-19. UNC got worse but they are still an ACC opponent in a Thursday slot. Weird things happen on Thursday night games in-conference.
With a rocking home crowd, with an 8 P.M. start, the Canes should come out firing. The Miami faithful are excited to see an offense led by Perry, which is who I expect to get the nod. The Hurricanes need this game to continue their progression back to the ACC championship.
Prediction: Miami wins but does not cover the spread.