A matchup of top-five teams in the AP Top 25 suddenly turned into a must-win game for Notre Dame with this week’s College Football Playoff rankings reveal.The Irish are No. 4 in the AP poll but found themselves on the outside of the top 10 in the CFP committee's eyes thanks to a schedule full of underwhelming opponents. Notre Dame could really miss the College Football Playoff with a 10-2 record two years in a row.To beat Miami, Notre Dame will have to give QB CJ Carr some support with the run game. And opponents have found it very difficult to run on the Hurricanes all season. Nolan James Jr. has emerged as Notre Dame's top rusher, while freshman Jonaz Walton is averaging nearly 7 yards a carry. Star CB Leonard Moore missed Notre Dame's win over Navy but should be ready to roll on Saturday night. His job becomes easier with the news that star Miami receiver Malachi Toney is out with an ankle injury suffered in practice.With Toney sidelined, Miami QB Darian Mensah is going to have to find his other receivers and lean on a run game that's been boosted by true freshman Javian Mallory. Behind Toney, Cooper Barkate has 28 catches for 372 yards and four scores, while Daylyn Upshaw and Elija Lofton are the only other two Hurricanes with more than nine catches.
No. 1 Miami vs. No. 11 Notre Dame live updates score: Follow the mega-matchup of old rivals
Is this a must-win game for Notre Dame and its playoff hopes?
Key Takeaways
- 11 Notre Dame live updates score: Follow the mega-matchup of old rivals.
- Is this a must-win game for Notre Dame and its playoff hopes?
- A matchup of top-five teams in the AP Top 25 suddenly turned into a must-win game for Notre Dame with this week’s College Football Playoff rankings reveal.The Irish are No.
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