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Miami vs. North Carolina: Early point spread released on Hurricanes, Tar Heels

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby: On3 Staff Report10/08/23
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 08: Miami Hurricanes tight end Will Mallory (85) tries to run past three defenders during the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

One of the most anticipated ACC matchups of the season has arrived, with Miami and North Carolina set to square off and the early point spread for the matchup released.

North Carolina will open as a 3-point favorite over Miami, according to lines listed by FanDuel. The over/under is set at 57.5.

The Tar Heels have gotten off to a terrific start to the season, spurred on by the play of star quarterback Drake Maye. Maye entered the season as a potential Heisman Trophy contender, and while he hasn’t quite had the production yet to justify being in that conversation he’s still been really good.

Through the first four games of the season, Maye had posted a 72.7% completion percentage and thrown for 1,187 yards, with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He had also run for 119 yards and three scores.

But the veteran quarterback has had to get used to some new options in the passing game.

Even as recently as this week Maye has had more options come available, as the NCAA reversed a decision on the eligibility of receiver Tez Walker this week. The former Kent State star should add an extra weapon for Maye and the North Carolina offense going forward.

While North Carolina is coming off a convincing 40-7 win at Syracuse, Miami is facing a long week after an embarrassing and improbable loss to Georgia Tech.

All the Hurricanes had to do in the final seconds was take a knee and they would have won the game. But they instead opted to run the football, fumbled, and Georgia Tech recovered. The Yellow Jackets then drove 74 yards in the final 26 seconds, thanks to a game-winning touchdown toss by quarterback Haynes King.

He connected with Georgia Tech receiver Christian Leary in the final seconds to lift the Yellow Jackets to the improbable comeback.

On top of the fumble to give Georgia Tech a chance, letting a receiver get open behind the defense as such in a crunch-time situation is also a cardinal sin.

Instead of a 20-17 win and a 5-0 record, the Hurricanes fell, 23-20, and Cristobal was left to stand at the lectern and explain how a surefire win had gone so wrong, so fast.

North Carolina has won the last four meetings in the series and leads the overall series 15-11 heading into this year’s matchup.