The word "miracle" gets thrown around a lot these days.
If a minor technological development isn't billed as a miracle, you don't think twice when scrolling on Twitter. Acne treatments are referred to as "miraculous." Overzealous spiritual types will corner you at a dinner party and tell you all about their own person "miracle," which may or may not include turning off their phone for a few days and "reconnecting with nature."
If the North Carolina football team finds a way to topple No. 1 Clemson on Saturday, the use of "miracle" would be justified. Here's exactly what a Tar Heel upset would look like, and what UNC will have to do to earn the biggest win in program history.
UNC stymies Clemson run game
Despite the (deserved) hype around phenom quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Clemson's offensive attack starts on the ground. Through three games, the Tigers have averaged 247 rushing yards per contest, helping them cruise to wins over UNC-Charlotte, Syracuse and a ranked Texas A&M team.
They're led by junior running back Travis Etienne, who has tallied 395 yards and four touchdowns this season. Sophomore Lyn-J Dixon is right behind him with 220 yards on 33 touches, good for 6.7 yards per carry and three scores.
The Tar Heels, meanwhile, have allowed 172.5 rushing yards per game, and none of their four opponents thus far have near the amount of firepower of Clemson. If Clemson comes out of the gate getting an easy five, six, seven yards every time Lawrence hands the ball off, the game could be over before it really even starts.
Offensive line grows up fast
If senior left tackle Charlie Heck, who is questionable for Saturday's game, is unavailable, UNC will trot out five underclassmen — two first-years and three sophomores — to battle the Clemson front line. That's a bad sign for an offensive line that has given up 16 sacks already this season, and a run game that has petered off since the loss of center Nick Polino against Miami.
