Talk about strength versus strength!

The Tar Heels average 233.5 rushing yards per game (exactly the same as Notre Dame) and feature two running backs who average more than 100 yards per game and at least 7.0 yards per carry during their 6-2 start.

On the other side, the Irish are allowing only 85.1 yards game on the ground to rank fourth nationally in that category — which is on pace to be the lowest figure by the program since the 1973 national champions (82.4, not including the bowl). Most notable was limiting all-time leading ACC rusher Travis Etienne to 28 yards on 18 carries, and then No. 1 Clemson to 34 yards on 33 attempts in the Nov. 7 triumph.

At a bruising 5-10 and 220 pounds, junior Javonte Williams is averaging 108.5 rushing yards per game and 7.2 yards per carry, and leads the country in both rushing touchdowns (15) and total touchdowns (18). Per Sports Info Solutions, the powerful Williams also paces the nation in yards after contact (583) and broken tackles (41), so it's quite likely that "wrapping up" was a buzz word on the Notre Dame defensive practice field the last two weeks.

Diminutive but strong senior Michael Carter (5-8, 199) has been equally dangerous, adding 101.0 rushing yards per game, 7.0 yards per carry and four rushing scores to give UNC perhaps the nation's most lethal one-two punch in the backfield. Also notable about Carter is that he lost two fumbles as a 2018 sophomore, but in his last 336 carries the ESPN stats show he has put the ball on the ground only once.

Williams and Carter combined for 1,936 rushing yards in 2019 — 1,003 for Carter and 933 for Williams, and this year they run behind a line that averages 6-4, 318 pounds per starter.