Sunday, Aug. 31
7:30 p.m. Eastern, 4:30 p.m. Pacific
ABC
The one college football game on Sunday of Labor Day weekend is a five-star matchup. Notre Dame made the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last season. Miami barely missed the playoff but had a player, Cam Ward, who captured the nation’s attention and was one of the best players in the country. Both programs have legitimate playoff and national championship aspirations this year. The winner takes a huge step toward the playoff before the beginning of September. This game will end around 11 p.m. Eastern time on the final night of August, barring several overtimes. Being halfway to the playoff before September arrives is a tidy way of underscoring the importance of this game and the big prize which goes to the winner.
Notre Dame and Miami renew a hostile college football rivalry
New Quarterbacks for Canes and Irish
The storylines for this game are numerous and attractive. Notre Dame starting quarterback CJ Carr is the grandson of national championship-winning college football coach Lloyd Carr, who won it all with Michigan in the 1997 season. Miami starting quarterback Carson Beck transferred from Georgia, a national power, to try to lift The U back to national prominence. Both quarterbacks have a lot to prove and will make their first starts for their respective teams. The pressure on both men is intense, and the sense of mystery enfolding them is just as large.
Whereas both quarterbacks are mysterious, the two head coaches in this matchup are coming into the 2025 season from different directions. Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman is riding high after making the national title game last season. Freeman’s rock-star status has been established. This season will try to maintain the elevated standard Notre Dame set in 2024.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal is an elite recruiter, and Miami has made substantial investments in the transfer portal. Cristobal knows how to acquire talent, but the industry consensus is that he can’t coach that talent as well as his peers. Until Miami makes the playoff, Cristobal’s tenure in South Florida will be seen as deficient and incomplete. Few coaches face more pressure in Week 1 of this season than Cristobal. A loss would be a shattering blow for him and The U.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish-Miami Hurricanes Odds
Spread: Notre Dame -2.5 (-110), Miami +2.5 (-110)
Total: 49.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Underdog moneyline: Miami +115
Hear more from T.J. Rives and Gary Segars on why Miami has a great chance at home in this one against favored Notre Dame off the “3 Dog Thursday Podcast” by clicking below,
How Notre Dame Pulls off the win
The Notre Dame method is simple: Play strong defense, make the opponent make mistakes, win the turnover battle, and walk off the field victorious. That’s how the Irish made the 2024 playoff and won three playoff games. Given that Carson Beck struggled with interceptions at Georgia, Notre Dame will bank on making the Miami quarterback throw errant passes.
CJ Carr won’t be asked to win this game as Notre Dame’s quarterback; he will be asked to not lose it. Notre Dame probably won’t drive the ball 80 yards on Miami’s defense. The Irish will try to shorten the field with their defense and kicking game.
This contest will likely be decided by Carson Beck and the Miami offensive line against Notre Dame’s secondary and defensive line. Beck’s level of comfort will likely determine the quality of performance, and that should tell the tale. As a bettor, you need to determine whether you think Beck and the Miami offense will outmaneuver the Notre Dame defense. Our view: Trust Notre Dame’s defense. Go with the Irish moneyline.