Main Story

No. 1 Miami visits No. 11 Notre Dame in a matchup that revives the rivalry’s 1988 intensity, even if it isn’t a rerun of “Catholics vs. Convicts.” The programs echo their historic styles: Marcus Freeman’s disciplined, detail-oriented Irish face Mario Cristobal’s brash, physical Hurricanes. Both coaches are chasing a national championship, but the stakes are especially high for Notre Dame, whose playoff hopes have little room for another loss.

By the Numbers
  • 1988: Notre Dame beat Miami 31-30, then won the national championship.
  • 2025 and 2026: Notre Dame and Miami, respectively, lost the national championship game.
  • 49-13: Freeman’s record at Notre Dame.
  • 59%: Notre Dame’s scoring rate on offensive possessions this season.
  • No. 5: Miami’s national ranking in time of possession.
Yes, But

Miami star Malachi Toney is out with an ankle injury, which could make the Hurricanes easier to defend and put more pressure on a defense that has struggled recently. Still, Miami has the speed and talent to win without him—and has already shown it can handle a hostile road environment.

State of Play
  • Notre Dame is at home, with a strong defense and quarterback CJ Carr, but a controversial loss to BYU has tightened its playoff path.
  • Miami is No. 1 and enters with championship-level talent, but will need others to replace Toney’s impact, particularly on third downs.
  • The teams’ contrasting personalities and their shared championship ambitions give the game weight beyond the rankings.
What’s Next

Notre Dame needs a win to protect its playoff hopes; another loss could leave the Irish outside the field for a second straight season. Miami has a chance to strengthen its standing and prove its offense can keep rolling without Toney.

Bottom Line

The rivalry’s old animosity is part of the backdrop, but the immediate stakes are clear: Notre Dame must defend its home field, while Miami must show it can absorb a major absence and still beat a playoff-caliber opponent.