No. 5 Miami (1–0) returns to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, to face FCS member Bethune-Cookman (0–1) in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff, six days after the Hurricanes’ headline-grabbing 27–24 win over then-No. 6 Notre Dame. The meeting is Miami’s home tune-up before USF and Florida close out a three-game homestand.
When/where is Miami vs Bethune-Cookman
- Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. ET
- Site: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- Records: Miami 1–0; Bethune-Cookman 0–1.
Miami vs Bethune-Cookman: How to watch/listen
- TV/Stream: ESPN+/ACC Network Extra via the ESPN app.
- Radio (Miami): 104.3 FM/560 AM WQAM
Weather forecast for Miami vs Bethune-Cookman
Evening temperatures are forecast in the mid-80s with abundant clouds and a chance of thunderstorms earlier in the day; humidity will linger around kickoff. Plan for a warm, muggy night in Miami Gardens.
Rankings for Miami and Bethune-Cookman
Miami climbed to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 after outlasting Notre Dame in Week 1, a game that drew 66,793 to Hard Rock and featured a late 47-yard winner from transfer kicker Carter Davis. Carson Beck debuted with 205 yards and two touchdowns. Rueben Bain Jr. was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after posting six tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fourth-quarter interception.
Miami vs Bethune-Cookman series history
Miami leads the all-time series 7–0, including a 48–7 win in 2023 when the Hurricanes piled up 589 total yards. Saturday is the first meeting since then.
What the numbers say
ESPN Analytics gives Miami a 99% win probability. The Hurricanes controlled key situational stats against Notre Dame, winning time of possession 33:57–26:03 and committing zero turnovers. On the ground, Miami went 37 rushes for 127 yards; expect an emphasis there against a Bethune-Cookman defense that yielded 223 rushing yards and six rushing TDs in a 42–9 loss at FIU.
For Bethune-Cookman, transfer QB Timmy McClain opened 18-of-28 for 164 yards, with Javon Ross hauling in 6 catches for 109 yards. RB Marqui Johnson paced the Wildcats with 76 rushing yards. The Wildcats’ points came via three field goals from K Juan Dominguez.
Odds for Miami vs Bethune-Cookman
There are no widely available consensus moneyline odds for this FBS vs. FCS matchup on major odds boards (which is common). Some have Miami as 41-point favorites.
Matchups to watch in Miami vs Bethune-Cookman
- Miami OL/RB room vs. B-CU run defense: The Wildcats allowed 5.9 yards per carry and six rushing scores at FIU; Mark Fletcher Jr. led Miami with 66 yards in Week 1 and should see early volume (along with CharMar Brown).
- Explosive plays through the air: Beck targeted Malachi Toney (6 for 82, TD) and CJ Daniels (TD) against ND; B-CU surrendered chunk gains to FIU and must limit early shot plays.
- Takeaways/field position: Miami was +2 in turnovers versus ND and needed Davis’ late 47-yarder; a clean night would let the Hurricanes end this game early.
Coming off a statement win and backed by a top-five ranking, Miami gets a chance to refine its run game and rotate defensively before a tricky September slate. Bethune-Cookman brings playmakers but must markedly improve against the run to keep this competitive. Expect Miami to control the script early and often.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change