Miami Hurricanes Football: Miami-Notre Dame Rivalry Lives On

Dec. 31, 2010; El Paso, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd (3) runs the ball as Miami Hurricanes cornerback Ryan Hill (13) attempts to tackle in the third quarter at the Sun Bowl. Notre Dame won 33-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE

On Saturday, Oct. 6 at Soldier Field, one of college football’s great rivalries returns to national television.  The Hurricanes (4-1) travel to Chicago, Ill. to face the No. 9 Fighting Irish (4-0) under the lights.  The infamous Catholics vs. Convicts game.

The two teams last met in the 2010 Sun Bowl where the Irish throttled the ‘Canes, 33-17.  The ‘Canes were coming off of the firing of then head coach Randy Shannon and Al Golden would soon begin his reign.  Golden was hired before the start of the bowl game, but was not involved in the ‘Canes game plan that day.

Saturday marks the first of a three-game series that is scheduled to resume in 2016 and 2017.

The Irish boast one of the best defenses in college football and rank 16th in the nation in total defense, allowing just 291 yards per game.  They rank fourth in the nation in scoring defense allowing only nine points per game.

“I’ve been waiting for this game since freshman year,” said QB Stephen Morris.  “It’s going to mean a lot to me and my family.  It’s going to mean a lot for this program.  So we’re going to make sure that we’re ready for this game.”

Notre Dame has one of the top linebackers in the country in Manti Te’o who has 38 tackles on the year, including two tackles for loss, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

DE Stephen Tuitt is also a force to be reckoned with.  He leads the Irish with six sacks.

Redshirt freshman Everett Golson will be leading the charge at QB and through four games Golson has completed 56% of his passes for 641 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.  He also has two rushing touchdowns on the year.

RB Theo Riddick leads the Irish with 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns.  He has 14 receptions for 117 yards.

Miami is coming off of a 37-44 win against North Carolina State where QB Stephen Morris set a UM passing record throwing for 566 yards.

The ‘Canes have lost six of their last seven games to Top 10 opponents and Notre Dame is listed as a 13.5 point favorite.  The Irish are coming off of a bye week and Soldier Field is essentially a home game for them.

“For our guys, it has to be business as usual,” said Miami head coach Al Golden.  I want to see us improve, take care of business every day and just trust the process.  And we’ve got to get healed up.  This is out fourth road game in six weeks so we’ve got to get healed up and healthy and get ready for obviously a great Notre Dame team in Chicago.”

“…we’re anything but consistent right now…but when they’re [Miami] playing as hard as they’re playing, and they’re resilient as they are, it’s fun to coach.  They play hard.  They’re nowhere near flawless, to say the least.  But they keep competing,” said Golden.

When: Sat. Oct. 6, 7:30 pm ET

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.

Television: NBC

Favorite: Notre Dame by 13.5 points