The biggest game of the season so far is going down Saturday night, with #11 Notre Dame squaring up against #1 Miami, but a massive blow just landed for the Hurricanes: Heisman Trophy candidate Malachi Toney is out. This isn’t just a bump in the road; Toney underwent surgery for a high ankle sprain he suffered in practice Wednesday, and it’s the first game this star receiver will miss since he stepped onto the Miami University campus. You can bet that changes the whole dynamic for this top-ranked squad going into South Bend.
The Hurricanes Just Lost a HUGE Chunk of Their Offense
Talk about a gut punch. Miami is rolling as the #1 team in the nation, getting ready for what many are calling the game of the season against #11 Notre Dame, a matchup that could totally be a preview of the College Football Playoffs. But without Toney, the Hurricanes are missing a ridiculous amount of production. This dude racks up 73 catches for more than 1000 yards and 13 touchdowns. That’s not just big numbers; that makes up 35% of Miami’s total catches, a whopping 39% of its receiving yards, and nearly half, about 46%, of its touchdown receptions! How do you even replace that? Miami is expected to lean hard on its running attack, with Mark Fletcher, Jr. and Javian Mallory now carrying the load. The Fighting Irish lead the all-time rivalry 18-9-1, though Miami did snag the last head-to-head 27-24 to open last season.
Can CJ Carr EXPOSE Miami’s Defense, Or Will Mensah Light Up Notre Dame?
So, what does this mean for the actual football on the field? Notre Dame’s biggest advantage looks like it’s their passing game. Miami is giving up more than 250 passing yards per game, ranking them a dismal 122nd nationally. You know Notre Dame’s quarterback CJ Carr is going to try and absolutely feast on that through the air. On the flip side, even without Toney, Miami’s starting QB Darian Mensah is still a beast. The Hurricanes average roughly 322 passing yards per game, and Mensah will be facing a Notre Dame pass defense that gives up only about 151. It’s an interesting clash of styles, with a top-ranked offense going against a tough defense.
And for those keeping an eye on rising talent, Notre Dame’s lineup features some seriously famous sons. Wide receiver Jerome Bettis Jr. just scored his first touchdown last Saturday against Navy on a 31-yard catch, following in his dad’s footsteps. He’s joined by Devin Fitzgerald, son of Pitt legend Larry Fitzgerald, and Elijah Burress, son of former Steeler Plaxico Burress, both also wideouts. Talk about legacy talent!
This “game of the season” is going to be appointment viewing. Can #1 Miami adjust on the fly without their superstar, or will #11 Notre Dame capitalize on the Hurricanes’ biggest loss? Find out when they kick off in South Bend at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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