Often, teams will use their bye week to get an extra seven days of preparation for their next opponent, especially when that foe happens to be ranked fourth in the nation.
But instead of getting in a lot of extra work to get ready for undefeated Miami, North Carolina used its open weekend just to heal itself.
Seven Tar Heels left their 46-16 loss at Utah on Oct. 16 due to injury, including quarterback Darian Durant and running backs Ronnie McGill and Jacque Lewis.
"It couldn't be as efficient or as beneficial as I'd like it to be because we had so many players hurt," said UNC coach John Bunting. "I think we accomplished some things in terms of introduction to all facets of Miami."
One player who will continue to see an increased role as a result of the rash of injuries is fullback-turned-tailback Madison Hedgecock.
The senior, who received his first carries of the year two games ago against N.C. State, will continue to run the ball because of the potential absence of McGill and Lewis.
"If you talk about a versatile player, he could probably kick if I asked him to," Bunting said. "He's done everything else besides that. Great team player."
Hedgecock is also a vital contributor on the special teams coverage units, which had their setbacks come in the form of injuries to Melik Brown and Lewis.
It won't help that the coverage teams probably will be facing their most difficult task of the year - containing Devin Hester, Miami's sensational kick returner.