Notre Dame and Miami are finally set to meet in one of the 2026 college football season’s most anticipated games.

The No. 11 Fighting Irish welcome the No. 1 Hurricanes to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night in a matchup featuring two of the most talented rosters in the country. With College Football Playoff implications, plenty of NFL-caliber talent and a rivalry that never needs much extra motivation, there is a lot riding on this one.

For Notre Dame, this is about more than beating a top-ranked opponent. Marcus Freeman’s team is 7-1 and needs another significant win to strengthen its playoff resume after suffering a 28-24 loss to BYU earlier this season.

With the Irish controlling their own destiny if they win out, Saturday represents an opportunity to make a statement against the team currently sitting atop the rankings.

Miami enters the matchup with plenty of confidence, but the Hurricanes will be without one of their most important offensive weapons. Sophomore standout Malachi Toney’s absence because of an ankle injury is a significant development that changes the complexion of this game.

Toney has been a major part of Miami’s offensive success, and losing him takes away a dynamic playmaker who can impact the game in multiple ways.

That development has certainly influenced our staff’s predictions heading into Saturday night.

Here is how the A to Z Sports team sees Notre Dame-Miami playing out.

A to Z Sports staff predictions

Brandon Little — A to Z Sports Ohio State

Notre Dame 30, Miami 24

Little expects the home-field advantage to play a major role in what should be a tightly contested game. He believes the quarterback battle between CJ Carr and Darian Mensah could ultimately determine the outcome, with Notre Dame potentially needing a late field goal to secure the victory. Toney’s absence is another significant advantage for the Irish.

Craig Smith — A to Z Sports Miami

Notre Dame 38, Miami 27

Smith originally leaned toward Miami before Toney’s injury changed his outlook. He believes the Hurricanes will have difficulty keeping pace with Notre Dame offensively without their most dynamic playmaker. Smith expects Carr and the Irish offense to take advantage of Miami’s defensive struggles before pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Justin Churchill — A to Z Sports Oklahoma

Notre Dame 27, Miami 17

Churchill believes Toney’s absence is simply too much for Miami to overcome. He points to the freshman’s involvement in approximately 37% of Miami’s passing offense and the lack of another receiver with 375 receiving yards as reasons for concern. With Leonard Moore potentially taking away another major receiving option, Churchill likes Notre Dame’s chances.

Tyler Forness — A to Z Sports Florida

Notre Dame 27, Miami 24

Forness sees Notre Dame as the stronger offensive team and believes the Irish have an advantage when it comes to moving the football and avoiding negative plays. He also highlights the difficulty of playing in South Bend, particularly for a Miami team that has not faced a serious opponent of this caliber on the road.

Rob Gregson — A to Z Sports Alabama

Notre Dame 30, Miami 25

Gregson views this as a season-defining game for Notre Dame. He believes the Irish have very little margin for error in the playoff race after the BYU loss, while Miami has more breathing room. Ultimately, he gives Freeman’s team the edge at home and expects Notre Dame to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Ryan Roberts — A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Notre Dame 30, Miami 22

I think Notre Dame has the opportunity to control this game, particularly with Miami missing Toney. The Hurricanes still have plenty of talent, but losing their most productive offensive weapon makes it much more difficult to consistently challenge the Irish defense. I also have enough confidence in Carr and the Notre Dame offense to put together a strong performance against Miami’s defense. Playing at home, I like the Irish to make enough plays on both sides of the football to earn a statement victory.

Ryan Roberts’ prediction: Notre Dame 30, Miami 22

I think this is a game where Notre Dame has a chance to take control, especially with Miami losing Toney.

There is no question that the Hurricanes have plenty of talent elsewhere on the roster, but Toney’s impact on their offense cannot be overlooked. He is a player who can change a game with the ball in his hands, and his absence puts more pressure on the rest of Miami’s receiving group to step up. That is a significant advantage for a Notre Dame defense that already has one of the best cornerbacks in the country in Leonard Moore.

I also have more confidence in the Notre Dame offense than some might expect. Carr and the Irish have shown they can put points on the board, and I believe they can find success against a Miami defense that has had its share of issues this season.

Notre Dame doesn’t necessarily need to win a shootout, but I trust the offense to put together enough scoring drives to keep the pressure on Miami. With the home crowd behind them and the opportunity to make a major statement in the playoff race, I think Freeman’s team gets the job done. Give me Notre Dame, 30-22.

The bottom line: There is a lot of agreement among the A to Z Sports staff, with all six contributors picking Notre Dame to defend its home field. The loss of Toney is a major storyline, but the Irish still have to execute against a talented Miami roster. If Carr can take advantage of the opportunities in front of him and Notre Dame’s defense limits the Hurricanes’ explosive plays, the Fighting Irish should have a legitimate opportunity to deliver one of their biggest wins of the season.