Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Miami Hurricanes Season Opener Preview

Miami looks to set the tone for the 2025 season and reinvigorate a storied rivalry

The Canes will open up their 2025 campaign with re-introducing the latest segment of the Catholics vs. Convicts rivalry at Hard Rock Stadium. On August 31, 2025, Miami faces off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday night, where they will seek to renew the rivalry that has waxed and waned over time as each team has experienced varying degrees of success (and lack of success) since this storied matchup blossomed in the 1980s.

Even though Miami pulled off the latest head-to-head victory in dominating fashion in 2017 as they won 41-8, the Irish have the more recent success as a program – and also have more recently won at Hard Rock Stadium than the Canes (won the Orange Bowl this past January).

This past year, the Irish clinched a national title appearance where they lost to Ohio State. In spite of the natty loss, head coach Marcus Freeman has established Notre Dame as a marquee program in just his third year. It was a make-or-break year for Freeman, who went 9-4 and 10-3 his first two seasons, respectively, which left much to be desired for the Irish faithful, and almost choked away the 2024 season when they lost to Northern Illinois. But they put the program focused and have broken through. They should now be expected to compete year-in and year-out.

On the other side of the ball, Mario Cristobal showed strides last year in his own third season with a 10-3 record after going 5-7 and 7-6 the preceding two seasons. Although the team improved, the program still leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the fundamentals and on defense. And with Cam Ward as well as other playmakers gone, many question whether the Canes can replicate their success from last season. For all intents and purposes, the current state of the Irish is where the state of the U hopes to be.

This opening night matchup will be a true test. The Canes have an amazing opportunity to come out the gates firing and set the foundation, something they have been unable to do in recent years against more established teams.

Catholics vs. Convicts History:

The all-time record between these two storied programs is 17-8-1 in Notre Dame’s favor. That said, Miami is 6-0 in the last six games in Miami including the 2017 walloping (Lou Holtz never won a game against Miami in Miami).

Notre Dame won 11 in a row between 1967 and 1980 and the rivalry where took flight during the 1980-to-1990 timeframe, which featured tight games and each team stealing key victories that prevented the other from making a title appearance. There was then a 20-year drought and the matchups have not been the same since then, besides the 2017 game, but each team faltered after that. Notably, the 2010 game was the Sun Bowl where Notre Dame won 33-17, the 2012 matchup featured a 41-3 Notre Dame victory, and 2016 was a nailbiter where Miami won 30-27 in a season where the Irish went 4-8 and Miami ended up in a three-way for the ACC title at 9-4.

The latest installment kicks off a period of time where the teams will face each other seven times in the next 13 years. The 2025 matchup could set the tone on a renewed rivalry as the Canes seek to get back to the promised land (where the Irish currently are).

2025 Matchup Preview, a Rivalry Renewed?

ND Offense vs. Miami Defense:

The Irish lose QB Riley Leonard to the draft, which represents two straight seasons of rentals via the transfer portal (Sam Hartman in 2024). That said, they may have one of the most highly touted homegrown prospects coming in as the starter this year in high-four star (45th ranked national prospect) redshirt freshman, CJ Carr. The 6’3”, 190lbs QB has flashed in spring practices and should be able to stave off junior QB Kenny Minchey.

Notre Dame features a dynamic passing attack led by near national championship hero, Jaden Greathouse (6 catches, 128 yards, two TDs). The Irish also have a South Florida native in Pinecrest’s Jordan Faison, a lacrosse superstar, as well as Will Pauling and Virginia transfer, Malachi Fields. Eli Raridon at TE could be another Irish great at the position, while they feature the best running back in the nation in Jeremiyah Love, as well as a strong second option in Jadarian Price. All of this has a nice bow tied around it with one of the best offensive lines in the nation led by right tackle, Aamil Wagner.

This team is different than the 2017 style where Notre Dame relied on the rushing game and then were stymied by the Canes’ elite secondary as the turnover chain was in full force that evening. The 2025 team led by Carr should be much faster and able to push the ball down the field in an electric fashion.

The key to the game for Miami will be how quickly the new look defense can mesh. Namely, will the secondary be able to make leaps from last year’s disaster led by standout rising sophomore, OJ Freqerique, as well as transfers Ethan O’Connor, Jakobe Thomas, Zechariah Poyser, Xavier Lucas, and Charles Brantley. Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the best edge rushers in the nation and should be able to disrupt Carr’s tempo. However, August 31, 2025 will be the first time virtually any of these guys in the secondary play together. It will also be new defensive coordinator, Corey Hetherman’s, first game leading the Canes defensive unit.

ND Defense vs. Miami Offense:

If this game was later in the season, perhaps this is less of a daunting area. However, transfer QB Carson Beck will be expected to lead the Canes’ offense against a stout Irish defense after sitting out nearly the entire 2025 offseason nursing a shoulder injury. There’s no doubt Beck should be able to handle the pressure mentally as he has played in many big games – albeit had a dip in production last year – but the key to this entire game, and Miami’s 2025 season, is how Beck will play physically?

Working in Beck’s favor is the fact that this is a top offensive line unit that should be able to buy him time led by tackle Francis Mauigoa. The offensive line will be tasked with fending off one of the best linebackers around in Notre Dame’s Drayk Bowden alongside Jaylen Sneed and Josh Burnham upfront. Beck will need to hope his offensive line can hold off the pressure and get his wide receiver’s enough time against an elite secondary featuring experienced players like Leonard Moore, Adon Shuler, Luke Talich, Christian Gray, and Alabama transfer nickel CB, Devonta Smith, all of who have big game experience. That said, Notre Dame loses familiar foe in their DC, Al Golden, who left for the NFL so will be under new tutelage.

Beck, and Canes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, will not have the luxury of a veteran safety blanket they had the last five seasons in Xavier Restrepo. Miami will need relative unknowns in the passing game with WRs, CJ Daniels, JoJo Trader, and Ray Ray Joseph and TE Elija Lofton to separate from much more proven ballplayers on the Irish side of the ball – while the OL holds on. It wouldn’t hurt if RB Mark Fletcher can establish the run game.

Prediction: If this game was later in the season where Miami has more time to establish their cadence and rhythm, especially on offense for Carson Beck and in the secondary on defense, then it’d be a better chance in the opener. However, the Irish are way ahead of Miami as of now.

Notre Dame 32-21.