North Carolina vs. Miami: Complete Game Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels head south for an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup with the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, Nov. 1.

After a four-game losing streak, North Carolina (4-4, 2-2 ACC) upended Georgia Tech and Virginia to stay alive in the hunt for the Coastal Division.

Last week, the 'Canes (5-3, 2-2) hammered conference rival Virginia Tech 30-6 behind a career performance from their star running back.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET and will be available on ESPN3. As of this writing, Miami is favored by 11 points, per OddsShark.

North Carolina Keys to Victory

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Protect the Football

Opposite an offense as dynamic as Miami's, the Tar Heels' lone chance to emerge victorious is winning a shootout on the scoreboard.

That all starts with protecting the football, something Larry Fedora's team hasn't consistently done. North Carolina lost the turnover battle during three of its four losses—and allowed nearly 800 yards in the other, so that cause is obvious.

Since committing 11 turnovers throughout their opening four games, the Hurricanes have ceded possession just five times over the last four. Changing that trend is paramount for a UNC victory.

Find a Defense

North Carolina has surrendered 512.8 yards per game, which is the sixth-worst mark in the nation.

The biggest problem, though, is that the Tar Heels aren't simply being shredded by either the run or pass, it's both. UNC is allowing more than 300 through the air and 200 on the ground.

Per Andrew Carter of The News & Observer, Fedora said Miami is "getting better in the [offensive line], they've got Duke Johnson ... and they've always had the guys that can fly on the outside."

If the 'Canes playmakers start dominating, they might rack up 600 yards. However, if Carolina can disrupt the backfield just enough, it will give the offense a chance to outscore them.

Miami Keys to Victory

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Don't Waste Possessions

Which UNC offense will show up? Hardly a clue. Which Miami defense will show up? Hardly a clue.

However, there aren't many doubts surrounding the converse units. The Tar Heels play little defense, and the 'Canes score in bunches at home.

Miami's defense has been porous, then decent, then awful, then great. Consequently, the onus will remain on Brad Kaaya and Co. to win the game until the defense shows otherwise.

A handful of field goals probably won't beat North Carolina, but punting certainly won't do it, either. The Hurricanes must score touchdowns when an opportunity arises, lest they become the third straight ACC squad upset by the Heels.

Contain the Big Play

Following a five-point victory over Georgia Tech, UNC receiver Ryan Switzer attributed the win to getting plays, as noted by Pete Dawson of Inside Carolina.

"Any game you can get a couple of big plays, the game usually goes in your favor," Switzer said. "We had a magnitude of big plays tonight, and I feel like that’s what won us the game."

Overall, North Carolina recorded four touchdowns of 50-plus yards during its previous two showings alone. Miami, on the other hand, is one of four FBS programs to have not allowed any snap to gain such distance this season.

Whichever team wins the big-play battle will hold an important advantage Saturday afternoon.

North Carolina Players to Watch

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Marquise Williams, Quarterback

Put simply, junior quarterback Marquise Williams has been on a roll lately. He's accounted for eight total touchdowns during a pair of conference victories.

"I really think it’s more of just, he's gotten into a pretty good rhythm and he feels comfortable," UNC coach Larry Fedora said, according to Harold Gutmann of The Durham Herald-Sun.

Regardless of what's behind his hot stretch, the dual-threat quarterback established himself as the driving force of the Tar Heels attack.

North Carolina needs him to excel in a third straight contest, though, because the Miami defense can be exploited—even after a dominant performance last week.

Ryan Switzer, All-Purpose Weapon

Through six games, the sophomore wasn't the breakout star many expected. The last two weeks, however, Switzer showed what made him so special as a true freshman.

"It took a little bit longer than expected for me to get going," Switzer said, per Dawson, adding that the preseason hype perhaps was out of control.

Switzer recorded a career-high nine receptions, 136 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia Tech. Then he ripped off a 27-yard punt return vs. Virginia, a season-long mark opposite an FBS opponent.

Challenging the 'Canes both as a receiver and returner will help UNC sustain drives and flip field position, two critical parts of winning a high-scoring battle.

Miami Players to Watch

Duke Johnson, Running Back

Last Thursday, Duke Johnson scampered for a career-high 249 yards and carried Miami to an impressive victory.

The junior has scored a touchdown in seven straight games and accounted for 35 first downs over the last five contests. What's more, Johnson has tallied at least 90 yards during each of the Hurricanes' eight 2014 outings and 10 consecutive overall.

Saturday will likely be a point-happy affair, so the Hurricanes will rely on Duke and his offensive line to light up their side of the Sun Life Stadium scoreboard.

Denzel Perryman, Linebacker

This summer, Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post noted Denzel Perryman returned to school because, as the senior said, "I can't believe I put that on tape."

When Miami traveled to Nebraska, Perryman repeated similar shortcomings. He spent the night reacting, consequently getting caught in improper positions and easily neutralized.

He's the most recognizable name on the defense, but Perryman has a lot to prove against an elusive runner like Williams.

What They're Saying

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North Carolina

Per Gutmann, Fedora is more concerned about the Hurricanes as a team than the environment, and offensive lineman Landon Turner reiterated his coach's thoughts.

"

'We're not too stressed about the crowd,' Fedora said.

'The stands are so far that you could almost have another game from the stands to the bench area,' Turner said.

"

Miami

According to ESPN's Andrea Adelson, Golden is impressed with Johnson's progression and wants to keep feeding his superstar.

"

What can you say about what Duke is doing right now? What you could see two years ago is how talented he was, but now you're seeing somebody that's very talented but also very skilled. He's trusting everything and then when he gets in the second level, he does his thing. We've got to keep finding ways to get him the ball.

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Prediction

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Miami grabs a 10-point first-quarter lead, but the Tar Heels rebound and cut into the deficit before halftime.

Johnson slashes North Carolina for 135 yards and a touchdown, while Kaaya throws for 265 yards and three scores. Williams accounts for 380 total yards, but an interception during the third frame proves costly.

Down 15, the Heels find the end zone during the final two minutes. However, UNC cannot recover an onside kick, and Miami survives with an eight-point victory.

Prediction: Miami 38, North Carolina 30

Note: Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.