Somehow, we've gone from "anytime, anywhere" to "kinda hoping the North Carolina game never arrives." Among the criticisms of Randy Shannon is the fact he has never beaten the Tar Heels -- and now that the criticism has grown to a hysterical witch-hunt, well, we'd hate to see what would happen if the old 'Cane goes 0-4 against his old mentor, Miami-jilter Butch Davis.

Shannon had his Hurricanes riding high enough until a brutal, embarrassing loss to Florida State opened the floodgates and dropped them out of the top 25. A 15-point palate cleanser over Duke last week didn't do much to disperse the doubters, but then, it's awfully tough not to play down at Duke. It's this home game, hosting North Carolina, that will tell us everything we need to know about this Miami program.

Details: No. 25 Miami (4-2, 2-1) vs North Carolina (4-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Line: Miami by 6 1/2
Series Record: North Carolina leads 8-5
Last Meeting: 2009, North Carolina 33-24
What it means: Randy Shannon's job, eventually, and 2nd place in the ACC Coastal, immediately

North Carolina, of course, has had their own problems, though largely off the field. Stellar defensive end Robert Quinn, defensive tackle Marvin Austin and wide receiver Greg Little are dunzo as a result of an NCAA investigation. Free safety Deunta Williams and cornerback Kendric Burney are still awaiting the resolution of their own pending cases, and will not play.

That's okay by Miami; Burney had 170 interception return yards against Miami last year, and the Hurricanes haven't exactly solved the offensive issues that allowed it. Jacory Harris didn't throw a single interception against Duke, but North Carolina's defense has the ability to eat him alive.

Why North Carolina might win: despite the considerable drama surrounding the team, the Tar Heels have won four in a row and seemingly grow stronger each week. The defense hasn't allowed more than 17 points in those games, and the offense is blossoming in the hands of the once-maligned T.J. Yates. The senior quarterback threw more interceptions than touchdowns last season, but six games into 2010 owns the nation's lowest interception percentage.

Still, it's North Carolina's defense that will cause the most fits for the Hurricanes. Defensive tackle Quinton Coples and linebackers Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick have stepped in and stepped up; the unit has picked off five passes this season, as many as Jacory Harris could be inclined to give them.

Why Miami will win: Surely the fates wouldn't hand us two horrific losses at home in a row, right? [crickets] Fortunately, there are legitimate reasons the Canes should triumph, and they are special teams, defense, Damien Berry, and Leonard Hankerson. Miami welcomes back Lamar Miller, their blur of a return man, and the defense is coming off a confidence-restoring 7-turnover performance at Duke. The Tar Heels are no Blue Devils, but Miami leads the league in takeaways, tackles for loss, and pass defense, and that's the sort of swarming that could forcibly regress T.J. Yates. North Carolina hasn't yet encountered anything like Miami's defense on the road.

Offensively, well, it'll take a good, solid game from the dinged-up Jacory Harris, and he should get some reliable help from Berry, who has just joined only Willis McGahee, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Frank Gore as the only UM backs in history to gain 100+ yards three games in a row.

One to watch: With middle linebacker Colin McCarthy unable to hold back Florida State and then falling sick, true freshman Kelvin Cain got his chance at Duke and made the most of it: nine tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and recovery, and two quarterback hurries. He isn't expected to start, but Shannon has announced Cain will get his reps -- and he just might be the shot of adrenalin the sometimes stoic 'Canes need.

T.J. Yates quote that could apply to either team: "This program has gone through a lot. There's a lot of negative light shining on us now. If we can get past that and make a run at this ACC title, it would be huge for the program, huge for me and for all the guys here, all the seniors we have. ... We've just got to take it one game at a time. We can't look too far ahead."

Encouraging stat: The Hurricanes have 12 interceptions while allowing only three touchdown passes this season.

What will happen: The offense struggles enough to keep it interesting, but gets help from a few big plays on special teams and defense. Miami hangs on, 30-24.