Skip to main content
Canes Warning
Fansided

Notre Dame has no room for error against Miami after Malachi Toney ruled out with injury

Notre Dame has no excuses.
ByPatrick Previty
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Aug 31, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) runs with the football against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Karson Hobbs (21) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) runs with the football against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Karson Hobbs (21) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The pressure on No. 11 Notre Dame to beat No. 1 Miami was already enormous after the Fighting Irish landed seven spots below their AP Top 25 ranking in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Now, with Malachi Toney sidelined by an ankle injury that requires surgery, Notre Dame has even less room for excuses if it cannot protect its home field Saturday night.

Notre Dame has no excuses

The Fighting Irish entered the week ranked fourth in the AP poll but were placed 11th by the CFP selection committee, leaving them barely inside the projected 12-team playoff field. Miami, meanwhile, received the committee's No. 1 ranking after maintaining its undefeated record with a 38-35 victory over North Carolina.

The difference between the two rankings was one of the biggest surprises from Tuesday's show, considering that Notre Dame sits behind three teams with two losses: No. 5 Alabama, No. 7 Texas and No. 10 Ole Miss.

Selection committee chairman Hunter Yurachek said Notre Dame lacks the signature victory possessed by several teams ranked ahead of them. Notre Dame's only game against a team currently ranked in the CFP Top 25 ended in a 28-24 loss at No. 9 BYU.

Its seven victories have come against unranked opponents, leaving Saturday's matchup with Miami as its biggest opportunity to change the committee's assessment. The problem for the Irish is that their remaining schedule offers few opportunities to recover from another defeat.

Notre Dame's remaining 2026 regular-season schedule

  • Saturday, Nov. 7: vs. No. 1 Miami (8-0)
  • Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Boston College (4-4)
  • Saturday, Nov. 21: vs. SMU (6-2)
  • Saturday, Nov. 28: at Syracuse (4-4)

SMU has put together a respectable season, but it won't be enough for the Irish to squeak into the CFP if that were to be their best win.

Miami will be able to salvage this season if they lose, but for Notre Dame, this is absolutely a must-win game.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/Miami Hurricanes Football