In visualizing an unproduced documentary on the 2025 winning (or championship) season for the Miami Hurricanes, the first act would be its opening game against Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium. Notre Dame lost the College Football Playoff Championship Game 34-23 to Ohio State. Notre Dame players are motivated and want next season to be one where they end up getting the job done.
Coach Mario Cristobal has the program on the right track. The Canes have virtually restocked the secondary with experienced players. All of the defensive backs that have committed to Miami had no less than five pass breakups this past season. Xavier Lucas, from Pompano Beach, has unenrolled at Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami.
While recruiting "NFL-ready" talent is important, the NIL budgets of each program factor in wins. As per On3.com, Ohio State is ranked fifth in NIL player valuation ($173,000). Notre Dame ($80,000) and Miami ($129,000) are No. 12 and No. 13, respectively. New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman is "on the clock" so to speak, to prepare his defensive players now.
Notre Dame vs. Miami football recent history
Notre Dame is 3-1 versus Miami in the "current era," i.e. post-1980s. The games have been separated throughout the years (2010, 2012, 2016, and 2017.) The worst game the Hurricanes played was an October game in Chicago. Notre Dame ran all over Miami for 376 yards for a 41-3 win.
The Hurricanes got one back on Notre Dame in 2017. Trajan Bandy had a pick-six for 65 yards and the Hurricanes won 41-8. The Irish were ranked No. 3 in the nation at that moment, so the win made it feel like 1987.
Miami and Notre Dame both beat Louisville and FSU this season. Notre Dame easily beat Georgia Tech. Notre Dame has also beaten North Carolina, Clemson and Syracuse in the last three seasons. The Irish also beat Georgia in the National Semifinal. Just like in 1983, Miami needs to beat Notre Dame to establish the program's path to consistent play. We can't wait for this one.