What some are calling the game of the season so far, #11 Notre Dame squares up with #1 Miami Saturday night on Channel 11.
Many believe this matchup could be one seen later in the season in the College Football Playoffs.
Notre Dame leads the rivalry with an 18-9-1 record. Their last head-to-head match last year to open the season in Miami went to the Hurricanes 27-24.
Looking at the lineup for the game, the Fighting Irish’s biggest advantage may be in the passing game. Miami is allowing more than 250 passing yards per game and is ranked as low as 122nd nationally. Notre Dame’s quarterback CJ Carr may be able to expose the Canes through the air.
Meanwhile, the advantage for Miami is its starting QB Darian Mensah and how he’ll face Notre Dame’s pass defense. Mensah and Miami average roughly 322 passing yards per game, while the Fighting Irish defense allows only about 151.
Miami will be playing without star receiver Malachi Toney, who suffered a high ankle sprain at practice on Wednesday.
The injury was so bad that he had surgery.
Saturday’s game is the first the Heisman Trophy candidate will miss since enrolling at Miami University. His 73 catches for more than 1000 yards and his 13 touchdowns make up 35% of Miami’s catches, 39% of its receiving yards and about 46% of its touchdown receptions.
Without Toney, Miami is expected to counter with its running attack, particularly Mark Fletcher, Jr. and Javian Mallory.
Notre Dame’s lineup features three famous sons with ties to Pittsburgh. Jerome Bettis Jr. scored his first touchdown for the Irish last Saturday against Navy on a 31-yard catch. The others are Devin Fitzgerald, son of Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald, and Elijah Burress, son of former Steeler Plaxico Burress. All three are wide receivers.
Miami and Notre Dame kick off in South Bend at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.
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