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The college football world braces for a high-stakes showdown as top-ranked Miami hosts No. 11 Notre Dame on Saturday night. What was once a marquee matchup of top-five AP teams has turned into a must-win for the Fighting Irish following the latest College Football Playoff rankings reveal.
Notre Dame sits at No. 4 in the AP poll but was left outside the top 10 by the CFP committee, largely due to a schedule that has been criticized as underwhelming. A second consecutive 10-2 season could leave the Irish on the outside looking in when the final playoff field is announced.
To upset the Hurricanes, Notre Dame will need a strong rushing attack to support quarterback CJ Carr. However, running against Miami has been a daunting task all season. The Irish will rely on Nolan James Jr., who has emerged as the team's top rusher, and freshman Jonaz Walton, who is averaging nearly 7 yards per carry.
Notre Dame's defense received a boost with the expected return of star cornerback Leonard Moore, who missed the win over Navy. Moore's job becomes more manageable with the news that Miami's top receiver, Malachi Toney, is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in practice.
With Toney out, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah must look to other targets. Cooper Barkate has been the most productive receiver behind Toney, recording 28 catches for 372 yards and four touchdowns. Daylyn Upshaw and Elija Lofton are the only other Hurricanes with more than nine receptions. The Miami ground game, bolstered by true freshman Javian Mallory, will also need to step up.
Key Analysis
The absence of Toney significantly alters Miami's offensive dynamics, forcing Mensah to distribute the ball to less proven receivers. Notre Dame's ability to contain the run and generate pressure on Mensah will be crucial. Meanwhile, the Irish offense must find consistency on the ground to keep Miami's defense honest and open up play-action opportunities for Carr. This game carries immense playoff implications, and both teams are aware of the stakes.
Originally reported by yahoo.