The last time Miami and Notre Dame met in South Florida was nearly ten years before any of the current players were born. Some of them were aware of the rivalry. The Hurricanes lost a close game last season in the teams first meeting on either campus since 1990.
Left tackle K.C. McDermott spoke about what the rivalry means to CBS4 in Miami.
"“Yea there’s absolutely a rivalry…This is Miami, Notre Dame dude. They made a 30 For 30 out of this. This is a rivalry.”"
The game also has meaning as the last of the teams Miami plays this season that beat them in 2016. They have already defeated Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Linebacker Shaq Quarterman spoke about what the Notre Dame game means to them.
"“You know it’s really been a payback season to everybody that we lost to last season and we’re just working down the line,…We just can’t wait to line up Saturday.”"
That adds fire to a burgeoning new rivalry. Sadly, Miami and Notre Dame won’t play again until 2024. That makes Saturday night’s game even bigger.
Holding up the tradition of Miami’s dominance at home would likely vault them in the rankings like the 1989 team did. This season Notre Dame goes into the game ranked third in the college football playoff rankings. Like 1989, Miami is seventh. Unlike their 1989 team, this year Notre Dame heads to Miami-Dade with one loss.
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In Notre Dame’s last five trips to Miami to play the Hurricanes, UM has outscored the Fighting Irish 166-32. That an average of nearly 33-6. If Miami can match that they will similarly move up the rankings.