We aren't even close to November 7 and all Michael Irvin can think about is Notre Dame.
The Hall of Fame wide receiver openly wondered if the Miami Hurricanes' highly-anticipated clash with the Irish becomes a must-win game now that Notre Dame has an automatic bid to the CFP as long as they finish within the top-12 of the rankings.
READ MORE: Predicting which of Miami's 2026 opponents will be in the top 25 polls this season
Michael Irvin doubled down on his concern about Notre Dame’s "autobid."
— CathVSConf☘️ (@CathVSConf) August 19, 2026
He says it forces Miami into a must‑win against the Irish:
“I’m worried about this promise to ND — as long as they’re top 12, they’re in. That means if Miami is ranked high, we’ve got to make sure they win… pic.twitter.com/dCZgfUZiSP
"That means if Miami is ranked high, we’ve got to make sure they win that game," Irvin said to fellow Hall of Famer Edgerrin James.
Notre Dame will start the season ranked No. 4 in the country and the Irish's schedule isn't thought to be too challenging outside the Miami game in South Bend. And, if we're being honest, as long as Notre Dame hits 10 wins, it's a guarantee the Irish are in. If the Irish only win nine games there's a very good chance they will be in.
READ MORE: Miami wouldn't make CFP over Notre Dame in 2026 if 2025 scenario repeats
Michael Irvin is worried about the wrong things
Notre Dame gets special favors in college football. That's not a new revelation. The Fighting Irish are the preferred brand in the sport. They get to make the rules and college football has to conform to them.
They are the last of the great independents in the sport. A group that used to include Penn State, Syracuse, South Carolina, Florida State and, yes, Miami. All those schools eventually joined conferences and Notre Dame stayed independent where the Irish got to control their path.
After losing out on the final at-large big in last year's CFP, the school went on a rampage of whining and threats, led by athletic director Pete Bevacqua, and, as one could've predicted, the CFP acquiesced and gave the Irish an autobid as long as they finished in the top-12.
That's life, but it shouldn't be Miami's concern because the Hurricanes also have an autobid opportunity, and it's if they win the ACC. In reality, that's all Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes need to be worried about because if one of the most stacked teams in the country can't win arguably the worst Power 4 conference, they have bigger problems than Notre Dame.
READ MORE: Urban Meyer and Mark Ingram repeat lazy cold-weather myth for Miami-Notre Dame game
As long as Miami takes care of business in the other 11 weeks, November 7 will not be an issue and, as James wisely points out, it might only be the first time these two teams meet in the 2026 season.
"I just want a fair game because a lot of times when you look at it...things don't always be fair," James added. "There might be a chance where you play one time and, in the playoffs, we see you again."
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