With four weeks remaining in the 2026 college football season, the Miami Hurricanes look to finish out the season as strong as they started it and stay undefeated as well as the top team in the nation. Last week, UNC kept it close against Miami but ultimately could not pull off an upset as the Hurricanes took a 38-35 win in Chapel Hill. Miami will now head to South Bend, Indiana, for a matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who were ranked as high as the third-best team in the nation; however, a 28-24 loss to BYU on October 17th would push Notre Dame back to being the fourth-ranked team in the country. Now, the Fighting Irish would come back the following week and take a 35-13 win over Navy. Now, both Miami and Notre Dame will try to outdo one another in this pinnacle matchup in the Hurricanes’ 2026 season.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah continues to be the most accurate quarterback in all of college football, leading the season with an 81 percent completion percentage. The 21-year-old must focus on the fact that he can pass Bo Nix’s 2023 completion percentage record if all goes right in the next few games. Mensah went 22 for 29 with 274 passing yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns were caught by Malachi Toney, who finished with a team-high of 75 receiving yards; however, the 19-year-old receiver didn’t get nearly as open and record enough yardage as we’ve seen in the past. Against Notre Dame, Mensah, Toney, and the rest of the offense must bring their best if they look to remain undefeated.
Despite the loss to BYU, Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr has looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate all season long. The 21-year-old has thrown for over 1,800 passing yards on a 67% completion percentage thus far. Last week, Carr threw for 210 passing yards and two touchdowns, while running back Nolan James Jr. ran for over 100 rushing yards with two touchdowns as well. Jordan Faison and Jerome Bettis Jr. combined for over 120 receiving yards. Losing to BYU may have stopped Notre Dame’s momentous run to start the 2026 season; however, the Fighting Irish know if anyone is going to have a chance to beat Miami, it’s them.
The Hurricanes offense this week will need to be more about Mensah and Toney. Cooper Barkate and Elija Lofton must hold down the passing game, while Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory need to make explosive plays on the ground. Mensah must trust and rely on his other options to get them through this tough matchup. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and company have a massive opportunity to take back some power and put some respect on their team within the AP Poll’s rankings after dropping from second to fourth. Carr must have a big game, with his targets constantly pressuring Miami’s defense. This game could come down to which defense steps up in those clutch situations.
As mentioned, if anyone is going to hand Miami their first loss of the 2026 season, it’s Notre Dame. The College Football Playoff committee recently released its first ranking of the season, placing the Fighting Irish 11th. Freeman, Carr, and the rest of Notre Dame want to prove the committee wrong. Miami’s head coach Mario Cristobal must have an elite game plan heading into Saturday’s matchup. A loss to Notre Dame and losing their undefeated streak could set up a funk for the Hurricanes continuing into the 2026 season. This game will be close and could be decided on a huge end-of-game play on offense or defense. I believe Miami can win this game; however, it won’t be an easy feat.
