Notre Dame and Miami open week one with a high-stakes, ground-focused approach as CJ Carr makes his first career start on the road. The Irish lean on a punishing backfield duo in Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to control the clock, while a stout Irish defense tests Miami’s retooled passing attack led by Carson Beck, who returns from elbow surgery amidst rain and humidity in Hard Rock Stadium.

Both teams swap new coordinators and rookie quarterbacks—Carroll’s Carr for Notre Dame and Beck for Miami—creating a clash that could hinge on defensive pressure and field position. Expect a lower-scoring, possession-driven affair with special-teams importance and strategic blitzes from Ash and Hetherman that could decide the tempo of the game.