Annika Herko
Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 86
Miami (Ohio) is on an ugly two-game losing streak after falling to Cincinnati and Northwestern, who is barely better than Purdue in the Big Ten Power Rankings on ESPN right now. Through the first two weeks of the season, Miami has scored 22 points. While I hate to draw comparisons to Northern Illinois, this is another game on Notre Dame’s schedule that many think should be an easy win. However, the Huskies came into that matchup with over 700 yards of offense and a win the previous week. The Redhawks have no such momentum.
Notre Dame needs to get back in the College Football Playoff Committee's good graces and that means running up the score as much as possible. The Irish already proved last week they are actually able and willing to do that, and there is no reason to suggest that is not the game plan again this week.
Prediction: Miami 6, Notre Dame 55
Matthew Crow
Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 87
Notre Dame’s dominant performance against Purdue was badly needed, and I’m predicting a similar outcome as the Irish seek their first home victory against Miami on Saturday afternoon. The RedHawks offense has struggled greatly during their 0-2 start, scoring just two total touchdowns, and I don’t expect much to change against an Irish defense that is the best they’ll face all season and should come into the game with a lot of confidence after limiting Purdue to just 162 total yards of offense and a single score with the game already out of reach.
Meanwhile, it’s always dangerous to put too much stock into a very small sample size against an overmatched opponent, but the Irish offense seemed to finally start to click against the Boilermakers after struggling greatly against Northern Illinois. Senior quarterback Riley Leonard and Co. still have yet to discover the downfield passing attack that many Irish fans have been waiting for, but the combination of Leonard, sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love and junior running back Jadarian Price running behind a constantly improving offensive line and quick, efficient passes to Notre Dame’s deep stable of tight ends was enough to roll past Purdue and should be too much for the RedHawks to handle. It feels risky picking a comfortable Irish win against a MAC opponent, but the highly motivated, backs-against-the-wall Irish aren’t the same team they were two weeks ago, and Miami isn’t Northern Illinois. Leonard and Love will each top 100 yards on the ground for the second straight game, and Notre Dame should control this matchup from start to finish.
Prediction: Miami 7, Notre Dame 52
John Bailey
Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 88
Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame teams have proven they can overcome adversity, but can they handle success? Coming off a dominant 66-7 victory over Purdue, the Irish are eager to sustain momentum and avoid past pitfalls where they let their guard down against an underwhelming opponent. This should be especially concerning after suffering an unexpected loss to Northern Illinois earlier this year. Now, another MAC team comes to town, looking to play spoiler yet again. With Miami struggling at 0-2 and averaging just 11 points per game, Notre Dame must assert dominance early to avoid another upset.
Notre Dame's defense has shown resilience this season, ranking in the top 25 nationally in passing defense, allowing a mere 140.7 yards per game. The RedHawks have struggled to find their footing offensively, managing only six points against Northwestern and 16 against Cincinnati. This dismal performance places them 133rd in scoring nationwide. If the Irish can maintain their aggressive defensive strategy, stifling Miami's passing game led by quarterback Brett Gabbert, they can keep the RedHawks from finding any rhythm. With Gabbert's inconsistency (two touchdowns, three interceptions), the Irish defense should look to exploit this further and create turnovers.
While Miami’s ground attack has been virtually nonexistent, Notre Dame has thrived on the run this season. After racking up 362 rushing yards against Purdue, the Irish have demonstrated their ability to dominate on the ground, even amidst injuries to key offensive linemen. With Jeremiyah Love and Riley Leonard contributing significantly to the rushing game, Notre Dame will look to exploit Miami’s vulnerabilities. This approach should allow them to control the tempo and wear down the RedHawk defense.
A crucial aspect of this game will be Notre Dame's ability to stay focused and avoid a letdown. The Irish have already tasted the bitter flavor of defeat against a MAC opponent and are aware of the importance of coming in with the right mentality. A disciplined performance will be necessary to ensure they do not take Miami lightly, particularly as the RedHawks are still a well-coached team capable of surprises.
Considering the current dynamics of both teams, a resounding victory for Notre Dame seems inevitable. This performance will not only serve as a confidence booster but also reinforce the team’s aspirations for a successful season as it pushes toward the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Miami 10, Notre Dame 41
Noah Cahill
Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 88
Notre Dame produced a much-needed response against Purdue, improving to 2-1 after a 66-7 demolition of the Boilermakers. The question remains, however, as to whether the Irish can handle success. They have an opportunity to exorcise some demons with a second shot at a MAC school in South Bend. This time, they best not take it lightly.
Miami will be far from a cakewalk in Week Four. The RedHawks are heavy preseason favorites to take home their second straight MAC title and are hungry after opening the season 0-2 after losses to Northwestern and Cincinnati. Notre Dame will be one of their last tests before starting conference play. The younger brother of NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Brett Gabbert leads Miami’s offense and has thrown for 583 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games. Fifth-year senior and Michigan State transfer Cade McDonald has already hauled in 16 receptions for 240 yards. However, the rushing attack is nearly non-existent for Miami, managing only 66 yards through two games. The turnover bug has bit Gabbert early on as well, the sixth-year senior throwing three interceptions already.
Look for Notre Dame’s defensive line to dominate up front and their elite secondary to get a couple of takeaways. On the other side of the ball, Denbrock and the offense must continue to feed Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Against Purdue, the Irish rushed for 278 yards … in the first half. I expect Leonard to remain heavily involved in the ground game after his three-touchdown performance in West Lafayette. While the blueprint to victory is clear, Notre Dame will have to execute shorthanded after three key injuries in last weekend’s game. Graduate vyper Jordan Botelho and junior center Ashton Craig are both out of the season, while junior right guard Billy Schrauth will miss multiple weeks.
With that said, I see Notre Dame pulling away after a cagy first quarter and earning its first home win.
Prediction: Miami 10, Notre Dame 45
Madeline Ladd
Record: 2-1
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 90
Notre Dame will look to keep its momentum rolling this weekend as it faces the reigning MAC champions, Miami. After crushing Purdue, the Irish are flying high, but they must avoid a NIU-like letdown. Miami comes in at 0-2, with losses to Northwestern and Cincinnati, but is no pushover. Led by sixth-year(!) quarterback Brett Gabbert, returning from a broken leg, the RedHawks can stretch the field with Gabbert’s deep ball. Their defense, particularly linebacker Matt Salopek (reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year), is a bright spot as they have allowed only 182 passing yards per game.
For Notre Dame, the key will be to dominate on the ground. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price can wear down Miami’s defense. Riley Leonard should lean on short passes to graduate wide receiver Beaux Collins and senior tight end Mitchell Evans to keep the offense balanced and efficient. Injuries have impacted both lines, but the depth is there, with players like senior center Pat Coogan and graduate guard Rocco Spindler stepping up to the plate.
Defensively, Notre Dame’s front seven needs to pressure Gabbert and contain Miami’s limited run game. Sophomore vyper Boubacar Traore and freshman defensive end Bryce Young will need to build off last week’s strong performances. The Irish need to come prepared to play. Bottom line. No hangovers from Purdue. The team has to be locked in or disaster could happen again.
Expect them to take control early and never look back. Well, I sure hope.
Prediction: Miami 9, Notre Dame 42
Tyler Reidy
Record: 1-2
Total Points Away From Correct Scores: 99
Which Notre Dame are we going to get? Many have called the 2024 season one of the weirdest three-week starts in program history. The team went from triumph at Texas A&M to complete failure against Northern Illinois (another MAC school) to annihilation last week at Purdue. Realistically, the Irish should land somewhere in between the extremes of the last two games, but anything could happen.
Miami, projected as one of the MAC’s top teams entering the season, has seriously struggled to move the ball so far. Picking Notre Dame’s defense to keep the RedHawks at a single-digit point total might appear an obvious pick, but I don’t think it’s that easy. I’ll give Miami 10 knowing the Irish still haven’t operated without Jordan Botelho on the defensive line in the game that isn’t already in hand.
On the other side, Notre Dame has had a lot to learn from the NIU game, but one message stands out above the rest for the offense. Run the football. Riley Leonard, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price emerged as a three-headed monster last week, and all three should receive double-digit carries barring another massive blowout this week. The Irish will get back to their bread and butter in the ground game, move the ball much more consistently than they did against NIU and get to 3-1 with their first home win of the season.
Prediction: Miami 10, Notre Dame 48
