No. 1 Miami (8-0) at No. 11 Notre Dame (7-1)
Notre Dame Stadium | 7:30 PM ET | NBC | Line: Notre Dame -7.0| Total: 54.5
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Players To Watch
Notre Dame LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
With Drayk Bowen out, Notre Dame will have to rely on Viliamu-Asa more than they ever have on defense. He steps into the starting Mike role and will likely play the most snaps he's ever played in a game with the Irish. He won't have the same command of the defense as Bowen, but everyone knows the big impact Viliamu-Asa can make and the Irish will need him to create some havoc.
Miami WR Cooper Barkate
Losing Malachi Toney at receiver is a massive loss for Miami's offense, but they do have someone who has played the WR1 role before to carry some of the load. Barkate had over 1,000 yards as Darian Mensah's top target at Duke. Barkate and TE Elija Lofton will have to play big roles this week for Miami to have similar success throwing the ball.
Notre Dame DE Boubacar Traore
Traore got the lone sack for the Irish last season against Miami and they'll need him to get to the quarterback again this year. A mistake against BYU led to his ejection from that game and he'll get to atone for that in a big spot versus Miami. Mensah gets the ball out quickly, but pressure from the Irish pass rush will be essential.
Miami S JJ Dunigan
Dunigan has emerged as a huge part of Miami's defense. The true freshman is second on the team in tackles and has 4.5 havoc plays. That's big because they haven't gotten the playmaking they wanted from the secondary this season. Dunigan has also been forced to play some nickel because it's been a problematic position for the Canes in coverage and he's had some struggles there. Miami is 110th in EPA per dropback and 103rd in passing success rate this season.
Notre Dame OT Will Black
Black has gotten better and better as the season has progressed in his first year as a starter. He and Anthonie Knapp have been fantastic working in tandem in the running game. After allowing a sack and three hits on the quarterback in the first three games of the season, he hasn't allowed one since and has allowed zero pressures in his last two games. Miami has some talented edge rushers who will present a stiff challenge, but if Black continues to play at his current level, it will set up CJ Carr and the Irish offense for a lot of success.
Quotes of the Week
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“I think I said it on Monday. Whatever ranking you hear, it reminds you to get back in the moment. Win this moment. They don't matter. They don't matter today, at least, and so every time you, anybody says, and I mean you just reminded me, get back in the moment, and that's what's important. We use that and I use that as a reminder to continue to prepare, continue to take advantage of what you have now instead of having an opinion about something that doesn't matter right now.”
Notre Dame DL coach Charlie Partridge:
“Every attack has its different challenge, to be honest with you. You can go week to week to week. This week's challenge, they do a great job with crossing routes. They do a great job with screens. They have switched verticals. They run the ball really well with what a lot of people call the duo play, the downhill double teams, try and get as much movement as they can and they mix in their gap play. So every week has its different challenge and we're excited for this one.”
Notre Dame OL Anthonie Knapp:
“It's awesome because it's just true warfare. You tape up whatever hurts, and you go out there, you go play football. I think that's just one of the coolest things about it. It humbles you a little bit just as a team.
Notre Dame WR Jordan Faison:
“As an older guy, you have experience with it, you know, all the College Game Day and stuff, but it's just basically just shutting it all out, being here, being with your brothers, being inside this building as much as you can, kind of tuning it all out and just focusing on the now.”
Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore:
“I'm always excited, especially at big games like this. That's what you live for. They got a lot of good receivers over there, so I'm looking forward to us matching up with all of them, putting our hands on them.”
For Your Nerves
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