Sporting News picks Miami football versus Notre Dame in Orange Bowl
In their latest bowl projections for the 2022 season, The Sporting News has the Miami football team versus Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. The only appearance Miami has made in a New Year’s Six Bowl game during the College Football Playoff era since 2014 was in the 2017 Orange Bowl versus Wisconsin.
Miami defeated Notre Dame 41-8 during the 2017 season. The hiring of Mario Cristobal has generated a lot of excitement entering the 2022 season. Marcus Freeman is entering his first season as the Notre Dame head coach after being the Fighting Irish defensive coordinator in 2021.
Miami finished the 2021 season 7-5. The Hurricanes won five of their last six games to clinch a winning season. Notre Dame finished with an 11-2 record and ended the season ranked in the top 10. Freeman is entering his first season as a head coach. Cristobal is entering his 11th season overall as a head coach.
Cristobal played for the Miami football program at the height of the rivalry with Notre Dame from 1989 through 1992. Miami defeated number one Notre Dame 27-10 at the end of the 1989 season to end the Fighting Irish’s winning streak. Miami went on to win the Sugar Bowl and their third national championship.
"Capital One Orange Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Miami, Fla. “First-year coaches Marcus Freeman and Mario Cristobal renew a classic rivalry in the proper setting. The Irish have a tough schedule that features Ohio State, USC and Clemson, but it would take an 11-1 record to get to the Playoff.The Hurricanes make their second New Year’s Day Six appearance, and this could be a showcase for Tyler Van Dyke.”"
Bill Bender summarized the potential Miami Notre Dame Orange Bowl above. Miami and Notre Dame are scheduled to play during the regular season in South Bend in 2023. The Hurricanes will host the Fighting Irish in 2024. Notre Dame defeated Miami 33-17 in the 2010 Sun Bowl in the only postseason meeting between the teams.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series against Miami 18-8. The 2017 win by Miami ended a four-game losing streak to Notre Dame. Miami and Notre Dame are both likely to be ranked in the top 25 entering the 2022 season. Miami returns 14 starters led by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke who could become a Heisman Trophy contender.