Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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48 PRESEASON 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED GAME PREVIEW: MIAMI to a 10-win season for the first time since 2017. In-game coaching, however, is his Achilles heel. And this is probably Notre Dame's greatest advan- tage in Week 1. Cristobal has faced plenty of criticism over the years, dating back to his time at Oregon, for his decision-making and clock management. His worst gaffe, by far, came against Georgia Tech on Oct. 8, 2023. Up by three points with 34 seconds to go, the Hurricanes had the ball and the Yellow Jackets had zero timeouts. Basic arithmetic tells you Miami could have taken a knee and run out the clock. Inexplicably, Cristobal chose to run a play, and the football gods punished him accordingly. Miami fumbled, and Georgia Tech won on a last-second Hail Mary. On the other side, Freeman was a phenomenal on-field coach last season. He constantly pressed the right buttons with his in-game adjustments and made aggressive but calculated decisions that helped win the Irish games. In particular, Notre Dame beat Georgia in large part because Freeman out-coached Kirby Smart. If Notre Dame pulls off a road win in Miami Gar- dens, Fla., this battle will have a lot to do with it. Advantage: Notre Dame INTANGIBLES Miami is not known as one of the most difficult road environments in college football. However, that place will get loud for Notre Dame. South Beach has historically been a nightmare for the Fighting Irish, who have not won there since 1977. That's what the Hurricanes have going for them. What do the Irish have? Experience in this situ- ation. Notre Dame has been here before, and Freeman has proven he can win difficult games in which his team is not necessarily playing its best. The Irish have College Football Playoff pedigree in ways the Hurricanes do not. This one is a true toss-up. Both teams have "slow start" red flags, from Beck's spring absence to Notre Dame's first-time QB1 to the Hurricanes' talented but pieced-together secondary to new defensive coordinators on both sides. Whichever side can overcome those challenges will earn a monumental Week 1 victory. Advantage: Even Staff Predictions Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 27, Miami 17 Season openers — between two terrific opponents — can often set a season course for both teams. Notre Dame brings to this game great confidence from its national runner-up finish last season. Miami brings less bluster, but a 10-win résumé from 2024, and a talented roster that's highlighted by explosive pass catchers, and highly touted Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck. Superior depth and defensive surety turn a close game in the first half into a solid Irish win, even with Notre Dame listed as only a slim field goal favorite. Steve Downey: Notre Dame 20, Miami 19 It has been 48 years since the Notre Dame defeated Miami in South Florida, a 48-10 victory on Dec. 3, 1977 en route to the national title. The degree of difficulty this year will be much higher than what Joe Montana and Co. faced nearly a half century ago. Breaking in a first-time start at quarterback — whether it be sophomore CJ Carr or junior Kenny Minchey — means points will be at a premium. Fortunately, the Irish can lean on a rushing attack led by junior superstar Jeremiyah Love and a defense that is bursting with talent. Eric Hansen: Notre Dame 24, Miami 17 The Irish exorcised some previous Hard Rock Stadium voodoo in January with an CFP semi/Orange Bowl conquest of Penn State. Now they've got to do it against a team that calls the Miami Gardens venue home. The Hurricanes were the No. 1 team in the FBS in scoring and total offense last season, and they brought in another vaunted portal QB, in Carson Beck, to follow Cam Ward. But the Irish defense travels and travels well, and will also do just enough to mitigate Notre Dame's offensive hiccups to take down Miami. Tyler Horka: Notre Dame 24, Miami 16 This will be another feel-it-out, grind-it-out, just-find-a-way slugfest like last year's season opener at Texas A&M. We shouldn't expect too many points either way. But even with a first-time starting quar- terback, Notre Dame has enough in the way of skill position players to get into the end zone enough times to come away with another road win to begin a season. The quarterback battle between Notre Dame's starter and Miami's Carson Beck will be pretty even, but the Irish will win in other areas — particularly the ground game and all around on defense. Tyler James: Notre Dame 24, Miami 20 Forget the ghosts of Notre Dame's last road matchup against the Hurricanes in 2017. This Irish team has good memories from Hard Rock Stadium with the 27-24 win over Penn State in January's College Football Playoff semifinal. The atmosphere will be more hostile Aug. 31, but many of these players have handled big moments. The key for Notre Dame will be limiting mistakes from its inexperienced quarterback and taking advantage of a defense that's still coming together. The Irish will sweat it out with the help of a strong defensive performance. Kyle Kelly: Notre Dame 20, Miami 13 Yes, the Irish will have a first-time starting quarterback, whether that is CJ Carr or Kenny Minchey. However, Miami has a brand-new signal-caller, too, in Georgia transfer Carson Beck, who had a season- ending elbow injury in his throwing arm. Combine that with the fact that the Hurricanes only have 7 receptions and 173 yards returning to their receiver room, I like Notre Dame's defense to shut down Miami and start the year 1-0. Jack Soble: Notre Dame 23, Miami 20 I picked Miami over the summer. This game is a true toss-up in my eyes. Both teams have "slow start" red flags, but I'm flipping to the Irish for two reasons. First, the Notre Dame secondary looked opportunistic as ever in our lone fall camp 11-on-11 viewing window. That's a great sign against Carson Beck, who was careless with the football last year. And second, the Irish proved last year they can win tough, grind-it-out games in which they're not necessarily at their best. Miami did not. The more I think about it, the more I believe that will be the difference. Senior Wesley Bissainthe started all 13 games at linebacker last season, ranking second on team with 59 total tackles (36 solo). He added 5 tack- les for loss, 2 sacks and 1 interception. PHOTO COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETICS