Miami's 2026 schedule sets the Canes up perfectly to inflict more Notre Dame pain

The Miami-Notre Dame showdown in 2026 promises to be one of the biggest games of the upcoming college football season. And with today's ACC schedule release, there's no reason the Hurricanes shouldn't be at maximum strength heading into South Bend on November 7.

Miami will likely be favored in its first eight games and there's a very good chance the Hurricanes will be undefeated when the anticipated clash with Notre Dame comes up on the schedule. And unlike last year when the Hurricanes and Irish were battling for the final CFP at-large spot, this year the game might be for a bye in the 12-team playoffs. 

The 2026 schedule gives Miami a clear path to Notre Dame

The ACC schedule dropped a few minutes ago and while the first month of games won't exactly have the fans jumping out of their seats, it is exactly what the Hurricanes need to continue to build momentum from this past year's success. Miami gets the West Coast trip out of the way immediately, heading to the farm to play Stanford on opening week (Friday) and the game against FAMU was moved to the following Thursday. The home game against Central Michigan on September 26 is the first time Miami will play on Saturday in the 2026 season.

Things will pick up after that with Clemson and Florida State and the October 31 game at North Carolina promises to be intriguing depending on what Bill Belichick is doing with the Tar Heels.

But the whole slate sets up Miami well to be undefeated and ranked in the top five for the trip to Notre Dame. The Hurricanes have won in South Bend since 1984 and in 1988 and 1990 they suffered controversial losses to the Irish that derailed championship seasons. Mario Cristobal was part of that disappointing game in 1990, and you can guarantee a win in South Bend is something that he wants to be part of more than anything, except a national championship of course. Next season Cristobal will have a chance to accomplish both.