Preview: UNC football's depth will be key in matching Miami's high-octane offense

After the North Carolina football team’s 40-7 rout of Syracuse last Saturday, Drake Maye settled in to watch the Tar Heels’ next opponent, Miami, play Georgia Tech.

All the Hurricanes had to do was take a knee on their final drive. They didn’t.

“The last time that Miami got the ball and they were running it out I turned it off,” the sophomore quarterback said. “Next thing you know, you see it popping up on social media. Some of the guys texted. Just a heartbreaking way to lose.”

The Yellow Jackets walked off the Hurricanes with a last-second score and won, 23-20. But regardless of that game’s result or how it happened, Maye and company know the Hurricanes will provide UNC its toughest test yet.

“They’re the most talented team that we’ve played to this point,” head coach Mack Brown said. “They’ve got speed all over the place, and we’ll have our hands full this weekend.”

Here are two keys for the Tar Heels to remain unbeaten when they face Miami at Kenan Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Depth up front to keep up with Miami’s speed

What has stood out to defensive coordinator Gene Chizik in preparing for Miami? 

Simply put, they’re fast.

“Their backs are fast,” Chizik said. “Their wideouts are fast. Their managers and trainers look fast.”

This speed and athleticism is something North Carolina’s defense will have to account for on Saturday. The Tar Heels are coming off one of their best defensive performances in the past decade, limiting Syracuse to just 70 yards in the first half. The Orange moved the chains just 11 times throughout the 60 minutes. Both figures were UNC’s best since 2012.

A big reason for UNC’s improvement defensively this season is competition and depth at nearly every position. Chizik and his coaches have tried to reduce players’ snap counts compared to last season — especially for the front four. 

“That’s bringing a whole lot of energy right there,” senior defensive lineman Myles Murphy said. “Knowing I can go out and give my all, and my guys going to back me up and they are going to ball out when I’m out [of the game].”

That depth on the defensive line will be crucial this weekend to keep everyone fresh and create pressure against a sound Miami offensive line, which has allowed only four sacks in five games this season. 

If the Tar Heels’ pass rush can’t get home, the challenge becomes even more difficult for the secondary against Miami’s speedy skill position players and talented quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.

“[Miami uses] a lot of go-balls, a lot of post-balls,” sophomore defensive back Marcus Allen said when describing the Hurricane's high-octane offense. “So it’s going to be tough. We just got to really be in shape and know that they’re going to go fast.”

The Tez effect

Junior wide receiver Tez Walker made his UNC debut last week and caught six passes for 43 yards. 

Walker “makes it look smooth” according to his quarterback. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey pointed out that Walker had the Syracuse defense beat down the field twice last Saturday. Maye missed him on one occasion and found junior wide receiver Nate McCollum on the other.

“I think Tez is a little bit of a difference maker in a lot of ways,” Lindsey said. “Hopefully that helps open a lot of other things up.”

Now firmly entrenched in the fold, Walker’s presence adds a new wrinkle for opposing defenses to worry about. Lindsey said Walker can prevent teams from overloading one side of the field and create opportunities in the run game.

A balanced passing game will be important against a Miami defense that is the best in the nation at limiting yards on the ground, and Walker figures to be a crucial part of that attack on Saturday.

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