Carolina opponent preview: Miami

Sept. 7, 8 p.m. at Kenan Stadium (ACC Network)

Last season: Miami 47, Carolina 10

All-time series: Miami 11-9

Head coach: Manny Diaz, first season

2018 result: 7-6 (4-4 ACC); lost 35-3 to Wisconsin in Pinstripe Bowl.

ACC preseason poll: Second, Coastal.

Key losses: WR Ahmmon Richards (medical retirement), S Sheldrick Redwine (fourth-round pick), CB Michael Jackson (fifth), DE Joe Jackson (fifth), S Jaquan Johnson (sixth), RB Travis Homer (sixth), QB Malik Rosier, LT Tyler St. Louis, C Tyler Gauthier, LG Hayden Mahoney, DT Gerald Willis,

Key returners: QB Jarren Williams, QB N'Kosi Perry, RB DeeJay Dallas, WR Jeff Thomas, TE Brevin Jordan, RG Navaughn Donaldson, DE Jonathan Garvin, DE Scott Patchan, LB Shaq Quarterman, LB Michael Pinckney, CB Trajan Bandy

Top newcomers: WR K.J. Osborn (graduate transfer, Buffalo), QB Tate Martell (transfer, Ohio State), DE Trevon Hill (graduate transfer, Virginia Tech), LT Tommy Kennedy (graduate transfer, Butler), S Bubba Bolden (transfer, USC).

Getting to know the Canes, quickly

The last four months of 2018 were a wild ride for Miami, going from CFP aspirations at this time last year to a moribund offense leading to a disappointing season, Mark Richt's surprise retirement and Manny Diaz's immediate return from Temple.
CFP aspirations probably aren't realistic at this point, but the Hurricanes are in the same position they were last year: the defense will be among the best in the nation, so their ability to win the Coastal and make noise nationally largely hinges on quarterback play.
The Canes have three options there and Williams, a former four-star recruit, will get the first shot after beating the highly-touted Martell and Perry for the starting job.
So, how bad was the Miami offense last season? Well, 105th in total offense to be exact, which dragged a defense that ranked fourth nationally in total defense and 18th in scoring defense to a .500 finish in college football's strangest division, including a home loss to Duke.
It was a busy season for the Turnover Chain yet again, where the Canes ranked 16th nationally with 25 takeaways. Problem was, they ranked 118th with 26 giveaways, including 14 interceptions.
Whoever is taking the snaps got a major bonus with the addition of Osborn, who had 892 yards and 7 touchdowns on 53 catches at Buffalo last season. Throw in Thomas (35 rec., 563 yards, 3 TD), Jordan (32 rec., 287 yards, 4 TD), and Mike Harley (21 rec., 240 yards), and there's no shortage of targets.
Diaz worked for Brown at Texas from 2011-13. After a strong start, things went south and Diaz was fired two weeks into his third season — something that ultimately became a turning point in his career.

In conclusion...

The U status: soon to be back?

Richt brought back the old-school uniforms, ridiculously talented recruiting classes and some of the program's swagger. Now, Diaz, a Miami native, will try to run with the positives Richt accomplished and rework the offense. Dan Enos, who spent last season as Alabama's quarterbacks coach, has a history of success at the position.

After opening with No. 8 Florida on Aug. 24, the Canes schedule sets up incredibly well. Like, 10-win well.

What would a win mean for Carolina?

One hell of a party on Franklin Street, first.

Second, it would mean something special is happening for the Tar Heel offense, and particularly at quarterback. Diaz's defenses bring unending pressure, force turnovers at a high rate and have been among the nation at piling up sacks and tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

Of course, that system also has its vulnerabilities, particularly for a quarterback that can identify where the pressure is coming from and take advantage of openings. Phil Longo's offense is about "finding grass," and when the Canes bring blitzes, there will indeed be grass.

If Carolina wins this one, it's because there was a whole lot of grass found and the Tar Heel defense did enough to disrupt a Miami offense that's still searching for its identity.

Again, a win here would alter the course of the season significantly.

What would a loss mean for Carolina?

Likely, it means that a young offense and quarterback got overwhelmed by one of the nation's top defensive units. No shame in that, obviously. Just how much the Carolina offense managed to produce would be key to evaluating the loss.

Go out and put up 28 points and come up short in a loss? Sure, that would be a missed opportunity, but that would be one heck of a performance.

An 8 p.m. kickoff in Kenan for the season-opener and Mack Brown's return should make for a good turnout. It would take a truly dreadful performance to raise any serious concerns for the Tar Heels.

Neat college football thing

Love 'em or hate 'em, college football is different when Miami is on top.

A program whose attitude and style had an influence far beyond its four titles between 1983-91, it's hard to believe the guys on today's rosters haven't seen anything like the juggernauts Miami built with Frank Gore and Willis McGahee in the same backfield or when Sean Taylor was a freshman playing alongside senior Ed Reed in nickel packages.

All of the former Canes in the NFL throwing up The U, running through the smoke or the controversial on- (and off-) field antics of the 80's, there's still a mystique that makes Miami must-watch when its rolling.

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