Halloween is around the corner. The Miami Hurricanes football team does not look bad however they do not look good.
Hurricanes were 20-point favorites entering the game on the road against the 1-6 North Carolina Tar Heels. Hurricanes won 24-19 over the Tar Heels however this is a game where the score did not illustrate what played out on the field.
Hurricanes were wearing costumes. When you take them off, you realize this may not be the eight ranked team in the country. The Miami Hurricanes have dropped to No. 9 in the latest Associated Press poll.
Hurricanes just need to win out, and they are in the college football playoffs that will be released for the first time this week. Will they win outright? It looks unlikely with the way they have been playing in recent games. “The U” have squeaked by in their last three wins by a combined 13 points. Not the best way to go into the November stretch run, even as they remain unbeaten.
You are remembered for the games you win in November.
Hurricanes struggled against a team who played their third-string quarterback Nathan Elliot who threw for one touchdown and three interceptions for UNC after starter Chazz Surratt who was injured in the opening quarter. Elliot had 173 yards passing and ran for 79 yards.
The savior continues to be the turnover chain and Hurricanes defense. Tar Heels came up with Travis Homer’s fumble with 2:56 to go down 24-19. UNC get’s near the Miami 35, UNC’s Jordon Brown lost a fumble — recovered by Jaquan Johnson — with 2:11 left. Throughout the game the offense could not capitalize on the turnovers, the defense came up with.
“We weren’t very consistent once again when it comes to the little things.” Head coach Mark Richt stated. “You take pride in what you do. And when it is not as clean as you want it to be. It is bothersome. It hurts.”
Hurricanes offense was 4 for 17 on third down conversions. Miami didn’t score its first touchdown until the final minutes before halftime and had two turnovers.
Malik Rosier missed a first-half series because of a shoulder injury. The team didn’t make him available for comment after the game, saying he was receiving treatment. Rosier threw for a career-high 356 yards with three touchdowns. He is expected back soon for practice. The shoulder will be tested well against Virginia Tech primetime Saturday night.
The Hurricanes have been ranked reasonably based on how and who they have beaten.
Photo/RomanGaray/WORLDWIDEWEST
