Could Special Teams Decide the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes' Fate Against UNC?

While the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes have the flashier stats on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field, special teams could be a deciding factor against UNC on Saturday night.

It's an overlooked aspect of football, on any level. Special teams is an opportunity for those on the brink of cracking the rotation to make plays and a statement.

The Tar Heels rank 11th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in kickoff returns, which is the best among Atlantic Coast Conference competitors. The special teams unit averages 29.7 yards on six attempts. Although the Tar Heels only have 178 yards off kick returns, which ranks the fifth-worst in the ACC, 98 came against Notre Dame.

Coming out of halftime, UNC got the ball and freshman wide receiver Jaden Jefferson exploded for a kickoff return touchdown. He started from near the Tar Heels' five-yard line, began running down the middle, decelerated, escaped several Notre Dame defenders, then finished the play near the sidelines without being touched – while in the rain.

After trailing by a touchdown, Jefferson cut the deficit to just one point.

However, the explosive play wasn't enough to boost the Tar Heels' momentum, suffering a 37-26 loss to the Fighting Irish. Graduate student quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for two interceptions in the first quarter, plus UNC failed on a couple of two-point conversion attempts.

The Tar Heels will look to capitalize on any advantage over the Hurricanes' explosive scoring offense, which is still at the top of the FBS, averaging 49 points through seven games. It adds emphasis on executing efficiently on all three levels. The Hurricanes' kickoff return defense currently ranks 108th in FBS and the fifth-worst in the ACC, allowing an average of 22.8 yards.

If UNC gets pinned to a bad fielding position, it puts them at a disadvantage. The Tar Heels' first-down offense ranks 112th in FBS and is the worst in the ACC.

The Hurricanes will have a plethora of pass rushers to disrupt Edwards Jr. and generate serious pressure. As long as special teams doesn't allow any explosive plays or threatening field-position plays, it gives head coach Mario Cristobal a better chance to leave Kenan Stadium on a winning note, keeping an undefeated campaign alive.

It will be a spooky Halloween night of college football at Chapel Hill, as kickoff is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ABC.

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