Miami @ North Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) North Carolina 10, Miami 33

THE STORY: Two of the nation’s best young running backs meet when Miami visits North Carolina Saturday in a crossroads game for both in the ACC. North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard leads all freshmen in rushing and Miami redshirt sophomore Lamar Miller is third nationally, averaging 135.4 yards. A Tar Heels’ victory would give them their best start since going 8-0 in 1997. Miami, 0-2 on the road, has lost three games by a combined 15 points including a tough 38-35 decision at Virginia Tech last week. North Carolina holds the edge in the series 8-6, 4-0 at home.

TV: ACC Network, ESPN3.com. LINE: North Carolina –3.

ABOUT MIAMI (2-3, 0-2 ACC): Miller became the first Miami running back to start the season with five straight 100-yard rushing games. Miller has 11 plays that have gone for 25 or more yards and 60 percent of his yardage has come in the second half. Miller’s success has allowed quarterback Jacory Harris to improve through the air. Harris has nine touchdown passes and three interceptions. Tommy Streeter leads the Hurricanes with four TD receptions. Linebacker Sean Spence leads the team with 41 tackles, 22 solo.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (5-1, 1-1 ACC): Bernard is averaging 109.5 yards and has scored eight touchdowns, more than Johnny White’s team-leading seven through all of last season. He has four straight 100-yard rushing games, the first Tar Heel to accomplish that since Ethan Horton had five straight in 1984. Quarterback Bryn Renner leads the ACC in passing efficiency and is fourth in the nation. Dwight Jones has 37 receptions for 605 yards, leading the ACC with seven TD receptions. North Carolina’s defense has allowed just eight touchdowns in 21 trips by opponents to the red zone.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina’s Everett Withers is the first coach to start his tenure 5-1 at the school since Ray Wolf went 6-1 in 1936.

2. Miami is ranked 97th in the nation in rushing defense.

3. A victory would give North Carolina its first 5-0 start in home games since 1996.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 27, Miami 24 -- The Heels find a way at home, stopping Miller just enough to become bowl eligible for the fourth straight season.