The #10 ranked Miami Hurricanes kick off their season this Sunday against arch nemesis #6 Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium. The last time the two teams met at the Rock, Miami demolished the Irish 41-8. But this Notre Dame squad is fresh off a national championship appearance and, despite starting a quarterback who hasn’t taken a collegiate snap, they bring elite talent along the lines of scrimmage and in the secondary.
For Miami, this is the perfect opportunity to open the season with a statement win against a top-ten opponent, setting the tone for an ACC title push and potential playoff berth. What can we expect on Sunday?
Players to Watch for the Canes
For Miami, it starts with Carson Beck. Despite what some called a “down year” at Georgia, Beck still posted 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and an 80.9 QBR. Much of his struggles stemmed from a depleted wide receiver group, but in Miami he’ll have talented elite young playmakers like Joshisa Trader and Malachi Toney ready to step up.
C.J. Daniels, a 1,000-yard, double-digit touchdown transfer talent, returns healthy and brings much-needed leadership to a young but gifted receiving corps.
Beck will also enjoy the luxury of one of the nation’s best offensive lines, possibly top-three in the country. Anchored by future first-rounder Francis Mauigoa and 6’9”, 340-pound powerhouse Markel Bell, this “Great Wall” will give Beck the protection to stay upright and find his receivers.
In the running game, the Hurricanes boast a three-headed monster with Mark Fletcher, Jordan Lyle, and CharMar Brown. Brown exploded last year with over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning the Jerry Rice Award as the top FCS freshman. Fletcher added 607 yards, nine touchdowns, and 5.4 yards per carry, while Lyle contributed 340 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman. Together, they combined for nearly 2,000 rushing yards and close to 30 touchdowns. Behind Miami’s dominant offensive line, they are primed for an even bigger impact this year.
On defense, all eyes are on Reuben Bain Jr. As a freshman, Bain won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year with 44 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks. Though injuries hampered his sophomore campaign, reports from camp say he’s fully healthy and wreaking havoc once again. Expect Bain to reestablish himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the nation starting Sunday night.
X Factor: Miami
For Miami, the X factor lies in the secondary. Last year, breakdowns in coverage late in the season cost them a playoff spot. This year, the group has been completely rebuilt with players like Ethan O’Connor, Xavier Lucas, O.J. Frederique (a Freshman All-American), and Auburn transfer Keionte Scott. Add star safety Zechariah Poyser, another Freshman All-American, and Miami’s secondary should match Notre Dame’s talent stride for stride.
Another crucial X factor is defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. His track record of rapid defensive improvement speaks volumes. At Minnesota in 2024, Hetherman elevated the Gophers from 56th to 5th in total defense, 69th to 9th in scoring defense, and 59th to 9th in pass defense. His success at James Madison and Maine also proves his ability to instill discipline and generate turnovers.
This is exactly what Miami needs after allowing 30.8 points per game in ACC play last season. Hetherman’s scheme, aggressive but simplified, could confuse Notre Dame’s young quarterback CJ Carr and force critical mistakes.
Players to Watch for the Irish
Notre Dame’s offense runs through Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman contender after rushing for 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns, and averaging 6.9 yards per carry last season. Miami’s defense allowed 149.2 rushing yards per game in 2024 (26th nationally). Keeping Love under 150 yards will be crucial to Miami’s chances.
Defensively, Notre Dame boasts one of the best cornerbacks in the nation in Benjamin Morrison. As a freshman last year, Morrison earned Freshman All-American honors and was named FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. His ability to disrupt passing games could challenge Miami’s young receivers.
On the defensive line, Donovan Hinish leads the charge as a captain and anchor of the unit. He logged 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and delivered game-changing plays in 2024. Jason Onye and Gabe Rubio join him inside, forming a formidable defensive front.
X Factor: Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s X factor is quarterback CJ Carr. A redshirt freshman with zero collegiate snaps, Carr faces a daunting task in his first start: a road game at Hard Rock against Miami’s defensive front and revamped secondary.
If Carr struggles, Miami’s defense could make the Irish one-dimensional and force a repeat of 2017’s 41-8 rout. However, if Carr plays with poise and efficiency—say, 250+ yards and 2–3 touchdowns—Notre Dame’s chances of victory rise significantly.
Prediction
In year four under Mario Cristobal, Miami is stacked with talent and depth on both sides of the ball. The biggest edge, however, lies at quarterback. Carson Beck is an experienced SEC signal-caller with a 24-3 career record, an SEC championship, and a playoff run under his belt. His 5-2 mark against top-ten opponents gives Miami an immeasurable advantage in a matchup of this magnitude.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, turns to an untested quarterback against a defense hungry for redemption and led by a new coordinator with a proven track record. The parallels to 2017 are striking, when an inexperienced Irish QB came to Hard Rock and Miami rolled 41-8.
Expect Beck’s poise, Miami’s offensive line dominance, and a rejuvenated defense to pull away in the second half.
Final Score Prediction:
Miami 31, Notre Dame 14
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