By: Michael Buck (@Hornsnation)
The stage is set at the Orange Bowl for the ultimate showdown in Season 23. The defending champion Miami Hurricanes (10-1) return to the national title game looking to repeat, while the North Carolina Tar Heels (9-2) make their first-ever appearance in the championship with a chance to make program history.
This will mark the 12th all-time meeting between the two programs and the seventh in the last four seasons. It’s become one of the CFSL’s most competitive and compelling rivalries – one built on shared respect, playoff implications, and two coaching staffs that know each other as well as anyone in the league.
Series History
Over the last 11 meetings, Miami leads the series 7-4. Miami holds a 7–4 all-time edge and has won four of the last six matchups. But this season, UNC got the upper hand with a 36-29 win in Week 5.
- Season 23: UNC 36, Miami 29
- Season 22 Playoffs: Miami 35, UNC 21
- Season 22: Miami 42, UNC 25
- Season 21 Playoffs: Miami 62, UNC 56
- Season 21: Miami 27, UNC 23
- Season 20: UNC 51, Miami 48
- Season 19: Miami 45, UNC 31
- Season 18: UNC 50, Miami 38
- Season 17: Miami 42, UNC 17
- Season 16: Miami 56, UNC 28
- Season 15: UNC 24, Miami 14
The Tar Heels: Championship or Bust
After a Final Four loss in Season 22, North Carolina entered this year with a singular mission – to finish the job. That journey now comes down to one final game. Quarterback Cole Mantell has been a revelation in the postseason, throwing for 451 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-31 semifinal win over Alabama. His top target, Troy King Jr., added three touchdowns and continues to be a matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries.
UNC Athletic Director DanielGunn:
“You either get better or worse, you never stay the same. That’s what I’ve been telling the squad since our Final Four exit in Season 22. That means this year was championship or bust.
This will be the 7th matchup vs Miami in 4 seasons for us, and Yost and I were on the same coaching staff under Ware at Alabama. In the previous 6 matchups, Miami has 4 and UNC 2, with Miami averaging beating us by 5.2 PPG. We have gone into every matchup against Miami knowing that it was a true 50/50 contest. They executed better the previous 2 seasons but we got the best of them this year. I expect nothing less than another 50/50 showdown between us for the National Championship.
Fight, Fight, Fight! That is all we can do at this point. It all comes down to one game and the harder we prepare, the better shot at winning we have.
It has been an amazing season for the Tar Heels and we aren’t done yet!”
The Hurricanes: Legacy on the Line
Miami is no stranger to this moment. A win would give the Hurricanes their third CFSL national championship (Seasons 9, 22, 23) and move them into a tie for fourth place in all-time CFSL wins with 111.
The Canes are coming off a 48-34 semifinal win over Oregon where TJ Cunnington threw for three touchdowns and the offense posted 464 total yards. The senior class has cemented its legacy with four straight Final Fours and back-to-back title game appearances.
Miami Athletic Director 850CaneCG:
“I told the locker room this last night after the game. Win or lose this senior class is the best in the history of Miami. Four Final Fours. Two trips to the Natty. They will be greatly missed!
Going back to back: for the team, I know they want to get back after NC as it was our only loss this season. They also would like to further submit themselves in the history books.
For me I want it for both the seniors and freshman. For the seniors they will forever be able to talk about their time at Miami on how they brought the mentality of championship or bust. The freshman, to get that championship taste.
UNC knows us better than anyone. This will be the 7th time we played in four seasons. I expect at times in the game both teams will struggle. Who is going to outlast the other will get the win.
The difference this time is we will be facing someone who I was on a coaching staff with for three seasons. We talk a lot of strategies since Daniel took over as an AD. It would be great to see Daniel get a NC under his belt. We have derailed his opportunities more than once. At the same time it would be great for us to go back to back.”
Keys to the Game
- Can UNC win the turnover battle? Their defense forced two interceptions against Alabama.
- Will Miami’s run game, led by Bo Wyatt and Donovan Walls, control the tempo?
- Can Cole Mantell and Troy King Jr. repeat their electric semifinal performance?
- Will TJ Cunnington’s playoff experience tilt the game in Miami’s favor?
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a title game – it’s a war between two programs built to last. Miami wants to repeat and solidify its modern dynasty. North Carolina wants to make history with their first national title.
Two veteran ADs. Two elite quarterbacks. Two rosters full of star power. One game.
Prediction: North Carolina 38, Miami 34
Horns Vegas Line: Miami -3.5
