Notre Dame opens the 2025 season against another formidable opponent as the Fighting Irish visit the Miami Hurricanes. Both teams are among the nation’s top ten according to preseason polls. Miami stands at #10 while the Irish are ranked 6th. This game marks the highly anticipated debut of quarterback CJ Carr, a sophomore with four years of eligibility remaining. Notre Dame’s roster is otherwise loaded with experienced veterans and a few quality graduate transfers. Sunday’s game will be nationally televised on ABC beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern time.
Coach Marcus Freeman enters his fourth season at the helm after reaching the championship game in last year’s playoffs. Expectations have risen significantly as he has increased the talent level and established a winning culture. Last year’s unheralded team surprised many outsiders by winning a difficult road opener against Texas A&M. On Sunday, Miami will not underestimate the Irish. We can expect their players and fans to reach a fever pitch as this bitter rivalry continues.
Freeman spoke about the challenge facing his squad. “We’ve spent some time really looking at the rivalry of this game, which dates back to, I think, 1955, looking at some of the great wins by Notre Dame, but also some of the defeats. We are 0-6 the last six times we played down there,” he said. “We know the challenge. We’ve been to Hard Rock Stadium, but we know the environment will be completely different than the Orange Bowl. We’ll be prepared for that and we know the challenge that is at hand.”
Notre Dame Overview
The Irish coaching staff is largely but not entirely intact from last season. Defensive Coordinator Al Golden has moved to the NFL after being named college football’s most outstanding assistant in 2024. After a thorough search, Freeman hired Chris Ash in that position. In the past decade, Ash has been the DC at Ohio State and head coach at Rutgers. More recently, he served as a defensive consultant in the NFL.
Running backs Coach Deland McCullough has also moved to the NFL. Freeman enticed the highly respected Ja’Juan Seider from Penn State to fill that vacancy.
Except for Carr, Notre Dame’s offense has several familiar faces. Four of the five starting linemen are back. The fifth, guard Charles Jagusah, is recovering from an injury and is expected to return in October. Top three tailbacks Jeremiah Love, Jadarian Price, and Aeneas Williams also return. Wideouts Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison each enter their third season after starting in 2024.
Senior tight end Eli Raridon replaces the departed Mitchell Evans. Raridon has plenty of experience and is expected to finally reach his vast potential after overcoming multiple injuries. Transfer Ty Washington is a solid backup along with sophomore Jack Larsen. Freshman Jim Flanigan may become a contributor while veteran Cooper Flanagan recovers from an Achilles injury.
The Irish brought in two graduate transfer wide receivers to bolster this group. Both Malachi Starks from Virginia and Will Pauling from Wisconsin had productive careers. Each has performed well in fall camp. Starks is expected to be the team’s leading receiver and Pauling was named an Irish team captain. A number of talented youngsters including freshman Elijah Burress round out the projected rotation.
Coach Ash inherits a deep and stingy defense. Ends Boubacar Traore and Jordan Botelho are back and healthy. They are joined by sophomore Bryce Young, who has earned a starting job, Josh Burnham, Junior Tuihalamaka, and Loghan Thomas. Tackle was a concern this spring with the loss of Howard Cross and Riley Mills to the NFL. Returning veterans Gabe Rubio, Jason Onye and Donovan Hinish are joined in the rotation by transfers Jared Dawson and Elijah Hughes. This core group is solid but must remain healthy.
Linebacker is set with top four returnees Drayk Bowen, Jalen Sneed, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Jaiden Ausberry. Several promising players are waiting in the wings, including highly recruited freshman Madden Faraimo.
Coach Mike Mickens brings another deep and athletic secondary to the back end of the defense. Safety Adon Shuler leads the way along with cornerbacks Leonard Moore and Christian Gray. Another pair of excellent graduate transfers will play key roles. Safety Jalen Stroman from Virginia Tech will join Shuler. They are backed up by Luke Talich and Tae Johnson, who will see plenty of action. At corner, grad transfer Devonta Smith from Alabama will play the nickel spot. Freshmen Dallas Golden and Mark Zachary have impressed enough to earn rotation spots along with Karson Hobbs.
On the injury front, Notre Dame will not have Jagusah and Flanagan available for several more weeks. Tight end Kevin Bauman and tailback Kedren Young were lost for the season with knee injuries.
Miami Overview
Coach Mario Cristobal had an unstoppable offense last season led by top NFL draft pick Cam Ward. His four leading receivers and starting tight end have departed, so Cristobal invested heavily in the transfer portal. His biggest splash was landing quarterback Carson Beck from Georgia to replace Ward. This season’s receiving corps is a mix of transfers and promising youngsters that must be sorted out. Transfer CJ Daniels from LSU and sophomore Joshisa Trader appear to be locks for starting roles.
A massive line is the strength of the Canes’ attack. The right side is imposing with guard Anez Cooper and All-American tackle Francis Mauigoa. Cooper is a 345-pound veteran with three plus years as a starter. The left side features senior veterans while the center is an experienced transfer from TCU.
Tailback Mark Fletcher, Jr., at 6’3” and 225 pounds, is Miami’s leading running back. His mates include speedy sophomore Jordan Lyle and redshirt sophomore transfer CharMar Brown from North Dakota State.
Despite the turnover on offense, Cristobal identified his defense as the area most in need of improvement. Miami could not stop anyone in 2024. Tackling was horrendous and late season collapses knocked them out of the playoffs. Out went defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and every assistant except defensive line coach Jason Taylor. Cristobal lured Corey Hetherman from Minnesota to implement his system. He then hired defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis, defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge and safeties coach Will Harris. Finally, the Canes procured nine defensive transfers, including a completely revamped secondary.
Like Notre Dame, the Canes are loaded at defensive end with several capable pass rushers. Reuben Bain and Akheem Mesidor are backed up by Armondo Blount, Marquise Lightfoot, and Malik Bryant. The interior is more problematic. Miami has only three solid players in its rotation along with several question marks. Ahmad Moten, former Irish recruit Justin Scott, and David Blay may not be enough to neutralize the Irish interior blockers.
Linebacker is also a concern in Miami. Starter Wesley Bissainthe is undersized and has limited experience. Transfer Mohamed Toure (Rutgers) sat out last year with a torn ACL, the second of his college career. He is entering his seventh season of college football.
In the secondary, the lone home-grown starter is sophomore cornerback OJ Frederique. The other four spots including nickel back are transfers from various schools. Only free safety Zechariah Poyser from Jacksonville State played regularly in 2024.
Miami has not reported any injuries to date.
Notre Dame’s Offense vs. Miami’s Defense
Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock has the means to adjust if the Hurricanes begin by overplaying the run. His passing game has more experienced and talented weapons than in 2024. Raridon and the running backs can also create mismatches against this defense. Of course, Carr must perform well for it all to work properly. Miami would love to force him into third and long situations and turn their pass rushers loose. A raucous home crowd also will help the Canes test Carr’s poise and decision-making skills. It is vital for Carr to complete a few medium range passes and build confidence early.
A concern is that Notre Dame’s offensive line reportedly struggled in preseason camp. They were outplayed by the Irish defense and committed numerous false starts. Four of them were starters last year, so the problem is not inexperience. Jagusah’s absence hurts a bit although Guerby Lambert and Sullivan Absher are capable replacements.
The line was in a more precarious position last season heading into Texas A&M. Excellent coaching and preparation enabled those new starters to perform quite well in the Irish victory. Once again, Coach Joe Rudolph is working this year’s group hard to get them ready by Sunday. It could be a long night if they cannot rise to the occasion.
It’s hard to imagine that a healthy Love and Price won’t be key factors in this contest. Miami’s defense is not elite by any stretch. Most of the players and coaches are just getting to know each other. Therefore, Notre Dame’s offensive success will depend on Carr’s ability to execute under pressure and protect the football. The Irish are as talented or better than the Canes at the other ten positions.
Miami’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense
QB Carson Beck is recovering from offseason elbow surgery to repair a torn UCL on his right (throwing) arm. He sustained this injury in the SEC Championship Game in December. Since transferring to Miami, Beck had limited spring practice participation but is apparently ready to play. When healthy, he is among the elite pocket passers in the college game.
Beck’s primary targets are Trader, a smooth, fluid athlete with good hands. He can run wide receiver screens, intermediate routes, or go deep. Daniels will occupy one outside receiver spot. He starred at Liberty before spending last season at LSU. Sophomore tight end Elija Lofton is expected to have a breakout season. Freshman Malachi Toney will line up in the slot. There is plenty of talent here although it may take time for all the pieces to come together.
Miami’s offensive line has been rated among the best in the country. The right side is particularly strong with veteran guard Anez Cooper and All-American tackle Francis Mauigoa. Cooper weighs in at 345. Mauigoa is the only junior while the rest are fourth and fifth-year seniors. Fletcher, Lyle and Brown are quality backs but not as explosive as their Irish counterparts.
It is vital for the Canes to run the ball effectively. Without that threat, it is hard to imagine Beck and this collection of receivers picking apart the Irish secondary. From Notre Dame’s perspective, Ash must develop stunts and blitzes that are productive against Miami’s formidable line. Golden’s departure has made many Irish fans nervous, but Ash will be fine in this role.
Special Teams
Both teams will field new place kickers. The Irish have graduate transfer Noah Burnette from North Carolina. Burnette performed well over his last two seasons but reportedly has struggled since arriving at Notre Dame. His kicks resembled knuckleballs in the spring game, although reports from fall camp were more encouraging. Still, we won’t know how he will perform until he is called upon in live action. Punter James Rendell is back and appears ready to put his 2024 early season struggles behind him.
Love and Price will handle kickoff returns for Notre Dame while Faison is the top punt returner. Innovative Coach Marty Biagi has plenty of talent to draw from to fill his various units. It will be interesting to see what excitement he can create this season.
Miami will award its place-kicking duties to either Carter Davis or transfer Bert Auburn from Texas. Davis has limited prior experience while Auburn struggled in Austin last season. Punter Dylan Joyce, an Australian, returns after delivering a respectable 43-yard average in 2024. Keelan Marion and RayRay Joseph are the primary return men for Miami.
Summary
Miami has more unknowns heading into this contest than Notre Dame. Carr, however, represents the biggest question mark for either team. If he plays reasonably well, his team should carry him to victory. If not, the Canes will attack without mercy. Any Irish turnover will lead to a feeding frenzy on the field and in the stands. Freeman understands this and directed Notre Dame’s elite defense to put Carr through a rigorous test in fall camp. He may not face a more difficult challenge all season.
Both Irish lines will be tested and must win their share of the battles to achieve team success. Carr and Burnette must also prove themselves worthy of the confidence placed in them. For Miami, its untested receivers must get open against the tough Notre Dame secondary. Defensively, the Cane back seven must tackle better than last season. Up front, the interior linemen must not get trucked by the Irish blockers. Finally, field goal kicking needs to be reliable.
Here are a few questions that will shed light on the outcome:
- Which team will establish a productive running game?
- Can Carr get off to a good start or will the moment be too big for him?
- Which defensive front will exert the most pressure on the quarterback?
- Will the Irish special teams win the battle of field position?
- Can Notre Dame’s secondary blanket Miami’s patchwork receiving corps?
- Will depth play a role in the Miami heat and humidity?
- Which team will have the fewest penalties and turnovers?
- Can Burnette convert his field goal attempts for the Irish?
Prediction
The two new Defensive Coordinators begin the game with an advantage. No game film exists of them deploying the personnel from their respective schools. Ash has more continuity of personnel to work with than Hetherman, so the Irish have the edge there. Expect the defenses to dominate early as both offenses modify their plan of attack. The staff that adjusts more quickly and effectively will dictate the game going forward.
Notre Dame also has an advantage in depth, particularly on defense. This will almost certainly come into play during the last 20 minutes of the contest. In terms of overall personnel, the respective lines are relatively even. Except at quarterback, the Irish are better at the offensive and defensive skill positions. Although Carr will make a few mistakes, my assumption is that none will be catastrophic and he will prove to be capable and resilient. Special teams should not be overlooked, and the Irish hold a distinct advantage here.
There are too many unknowns for anyone to make a prediction with a high degree of certainty. Nevertheless, Freeman and his staff earned trust with inspiring big game performances throughout the magical 2024 season. Their outstanding preparation for last year’s road opener gives me confidence that the visitors will prevail again.
NOTRE DAME 27 MIAMI 17
This is a reprint of John’s original preview article lost in a site technical issue