The #1 Miami Hurricanes are rolling into South Bend for a Week 10 playoff elimination game against #11 Notre Dame, but they’re doing it without star wideout Malachi Toney. This isn’t just a tough break, it’s a seismic shift for the nation’s top team, as Toney accounts for more than 35 percent of their catches, almost 40 percent of their yards, and nearly half of their receiving touchdowns.
Miami’s New Playbook: Ground and Pound
You look at Miami quarterback Darian Mensah’s numbers, and they’re insane: 2,425 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just one interception. But a massive chunk of that production just vanished with Toney’s injury. So, how do the Hurricanes compensate? Expect them to get absolutely physical in the trenches. These guys are good for almost 6 yards per carry and have already punched in 22 rushing TDs this year. They’re going to need to run the ball hard and often to shorten the game, keep the clock moving, and most importantly, keep Notre Dame’s offense off the field. It won’t be easy, though; the Irish rank No. 7 against the run. Miami is going to have to earn every single yard.
Notre Dame’s High-Stakes Balancing Act
For Notre Dame, their own running game is going to be tested big time. They average over 200 rushing yards per game, but Miami’s run defense is nationally ranked #1, allowing just 2.4 yards per carry. That’s a brutal matchup for the Irish offensive line. If they can’t establish the run, quarterback CJ Carr will have to shoulder a much heavier load. Carr has been solid, tossing 18 touchdowns against just one interception. Miami’s pass defense has been vulnerable, giving up 252 passing yards per game, so if Carr gets some protection, the Irish could find opportunities for explosive plays through the air. The catch? Carr has struggled with deep-ball accuracy lately, hitting only 4 of 24 passes traveling at least 15 air yards over his last two games.
On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s defense is banged up. Linebacker Drayk Bowen is out, and defensive tackles Jason Onye and Francis Brewu are questionable. Those are some key absences that could really hurt against Miami’s balanced offense, especially if Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. gets going. If Miami establishes that ground game, the Irish defense could be stuck on the field for extended periods.
This game comes down to whether Notre Dame’s defense, even with injuries, can actually slow down Miami’s high-powered passing attack, which now looks far more likely without Toney. But don’t sleep on that Hurricane ground game. Even without their star receiver, Miami’s physical approach means this one is going to stay very, very close.
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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