Top-ranked Miami visits No. 4 Notre Dame on Saturday night in South Bend, Indiana, in a rematch of last season’s game that sent the Hurricanes into the College Football Playoff and kept the Fighting Irish out. Miami is 8-0 and Notre Dame is 7-1.
The Hurricanes will be without top receiver Malachi Toney, who hurt an ankle in practice Wednesday and had surgery Thursday. Toney had been considered a Heisman Trophy favorite before the injury. Miami coach Mario Cristobal has said preparation is the priority, and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said the Hurricanes have plenty of talent to fill the gap.
Cooper Barkate, a former Duke receiver who transferred to Miami with quarterback Darian Mensah, is expected to take on a bigger role. The running backs, led by Mark Fletcher Jr., may also see more work.
Sportsbooks moved Notre Dame from a 6.5-point favorite to 8.5 points at many books after the news. Miami has not lost by more than a touchdown in just over three years.
The CFP committee ranked Notre Dame 11th in its initial rankings, so a home win would give the Irish a signature result. A loss would likely make their playoff path much harder.
South Florida fans will be watching from a long way off. Forecasters expect a crisp night in South Bend, with temperatures possibly in the low to mid 40s at kickoff, while South Florida is still in the mid-80s this week.
