Notre Dame Preventing Irish vs. Miami Hurricanes Season Opener Preview

The Canes will open up their 2025 marketing campaign with re-introducing the newest section of the Catholics vs. Convicts rivalry at Onerous Rock Stadium. On Sunday evening August 31, 2025, Miami faces off towards the Notre Dame Preventing Irish, the place they are going to search to resume the rivalry that has waxed and waned over time as every crew has skilled various levels of success (and lack of success) since this storied matchup blossomed within the Nineteen Eighties.

Despite the fact that Miami pulled off the newest head-to-head victory in dominating trend in 2017 as they gained 41-8, the Irish have the newer success as a program – and still have extra not too long ago gained at Onerous Rock Stadium than the Canes (gained the Orange Bowl this previous January).

This previous yr, the Irish clinched a nationwide title look the place they misplaced to Ohio State. Despite the natty loss, head coach Marcus Freeman has established Notre Dame as a marquee program in simply his third yr. It was a make-or-break yr for Freeman, who went 9-4 and 10-3 his first two seasons, respectively, which left a lot to be desired for the Irish trustworthy who virtually choked away the 2024 season after they misplaced to Northern Illinois. However they saved this system targeted and have damaged by way of to the higher echelon of school soccer. And may now be anticipated to compete year-in and year-out.

On the opposite facet of the ball, Mario Cristobal made strides final yr in his personal third season with a 10-3 document after going 5-7 and 7-6 the previous two seasons. Though the crew improved, this system nonetheless leaves lots to be desired, particularly within the fundamentals and on protection. And with Cam Ward in addition to different playmakers gone, many query whether or not the Canes can replicate their success from final season. For all intents and functions, the present state of the Irish is the place the state of the U hopes to be.

This opening evening matchup might be a real take a look at. The Canes have a tremendous alternative to return out the gates firing and set the inspiration, one thing they’ve been unable to do lately towards extra established groups.

Catholics vs. Convicts Historical past:

The all-time document between these two storied applications is 17-8-1 in Notre Dame’s favor. That stated, Miami is 6-0 within the final six video games in Miami together with the 2017 walloping (Lou Holtz by no means gained a recreation towards Miami in Miami).

Notre Dame gained 11 in a row between 1967 and 1980 and the rivalry took flight through the 1980-to-1990 timeframe, which featured tight video games together with every crew stealing key victories that prevented the opposite from making a title look. There was then a 20-year drought on no matchups, and for the reason that matchups have been anticlimactic since 2010, apart from the 2017 recreation. Notably, the 2010 recreation was the Solar Bowl the place Notre Dame gained 33-17, the 2012 matchup featured a 41-3 Notre Dame victory, and 2016 was a nailbiter the place Miami gained 30-27 however that was a season the place the Irish went 4-8 and Miami ended up in a three-way for the ACC title at 9-4.

The newest installment kicks off a horizon the place the groups will face one another seven occasions within the subsequent 13 years. The 2025 matchup might set the tone on a renewed rivalry because the Canes search to get again to the promised land – the place the Irish at present are.

2025 Matchup Preview, a Rivalry Renewed?

ND Offense vs. Miami Protection:

The Irish lose QB Riley Leonard to the draft, which represents two straight seasons of leases by way of the switch portal on the place (Sam Hartman in 2024). That stated, they could have one of the vital extremely touted homegrown prospects coming in because the starter this yr in high-four star (forty fifth ranked nationwide prospect) redshirt freshman, CJ Carr. The 6’3”, 190lb QB has flashed in spring practices and will have the ability to stave off junior QB Kenny Minchey.

Notre Dame contains a dynamic passing assault led by close to nationwide championship hero, Jaden Greathouse (6 catches, 128 yards, two TDs). The Irish even have a South Florida native in Pinecrest’s Jordan Faison, a lacrosse celebrity, in addition to Will Pauling and Virginia switch, Malachi Fields. Eli Raridon at TE could possibly be one other Irish nice on the place, whereas they characteristic one of the best operating again within the nation in Jeremiyah Love, in addition to a robust second possibility in Jadarian Worth. All of this has a pleasant bow tied round it with probably the greatest offensive strains within the nation led by proper sort out, Aamil Wagner.

This crew is completely different than the 2017 type the place Notre Dame relied on the speeding recreation after which have been stymied by the Canes’ elite secondary because the turnover chain was in full pressure that night. The 2025 crew led by Carr ought to be a lot quicker and capable of push the ball down the sector in an electrical trend.

The important thing to the sport for Miami might be how rapidly the brand new look protection can mesh. Specifically, will the secondary have the ability to make leaps from final yr’s catastrophe led by standout rising sophomore, OJ Freqerique, in addition to transfers Ethan O’Connor, Jakobe Thomas, Zechariah Poyser, Xavier Lucas, and Charles Brantley. Rueben Bain Jr. is without doubt one of the greatest edge rushers within the nation and will have the ability to disrupt Carr’s tempo. Nonetheless, August 31, 2025 would be the first time just about any of those guys within the secondary play collectively. It should even be new defensive coordinator, Corey Hetherman’s, first recreation main the Canes defensive unit.

ND Protection vs. Miami Offense:

If this recreation was later within the season, maybe that is much less of a frightening space. Nonetheless, switch QB Carson Beck might be anticipated to guide the Canes’ offense towards a stout Irish protection after sitting out practically all the 2025 offseason nursing a shoulder harm. There’s little question Beck ought to have the ability to deal with the strain mentally as he has performed in lots of huge video games – albeit had a dip in manufacturing final yr – however the important thing to this whole recreation, and Miami’s 2025 season, is how Beck will play bodily?

Working in Beck’s favor is the truth that this can be a high offensive line unit that ought to have the ability to purchase him time led by sort out Francis Mauigoa. The offensive line might be tasked with keeping off probably the greatest linebackers round in Notre Dame’s Drayk Bowden alongside Jaylen Sneed and Josh Burnham upfront. Beck might want to hope his offensive line can maintain off the strain and get his broad receiver’s sufficient time towards an elite secondary that includes skilled gamers like Leonard Moore, Adon Shuler, Luke Talich, Christian Grey, and Alabama switch nickel CB, Devonta Smith, all of who’ve huge recreation expertise. That stated, Notre Dame loses acquainted foe of their DC, Al Golden, who left for the NFL so might be below new tutelage.

Beck, and Canes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, won’t have the posh of a veteran security blanket they’d the final 5 seasons in Xavier Restrepo. Miami will want relative unknowns within the passing recreation with WRs, CJ Daniels, JoJo Dealer, and Ray Ray Joseph and TE Elija Lofton to separate from way more confirmed ballplayers on the Irish facet of the ball – whereas the OL holds on. It wouldn’t damage if RB Mark Fletcher can set up the run recreation.

Prediction: If this recreation was later within the season the place Miami has extra time to determine their cadence and rhythm, particularly on offense for Carson Beck and within the secondary on protection, then it’d be a greater likelihood within the opener. Nonetheless, the Irish are method forward of Miami as of now.

Notre Dame 32-21.