MIAMI – Is it safe to say the ‘U’ is back?
Miami (No. 7 in College Football Playoff Rankings; 8-0) remained undefeated after beating then-No. 13 Virginia Tech last week, 28-10.
A lot of people were unsure of the game’s outcome, calling it a test to see if the Hurricanes are really back. Week after week, Miami played the underdog role, but it continued to come out and perform at a high level.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re really close,” Miami wide receiver Braxton Berrios said. “This was a huge game. We might’ve been out of it if we lost this one. But we control our own destiny, and that’s all we can ask for.”
Going into the Virginia Tech game, Miami was ranked No. 9 in the initial College Football Playoff Poll. It didn’t sit too well with those affiliated with the program.
“We’ve won every game as a team, and when rankings came out I wasn’t surprised because nobody wants Miami to do good,” linebacker Shaquille Quartermann stated.
Of course, after the win over Virginia Tech, the Canes only moves up two spots to No. 7 on the Power Rankings list.
The ‘U’ still has some proving to do. The Canes will get a huge opportunity in prime-time action, as they will face off against No. 3 Notre Dame this Saturday (Nov. 11), an ESPN College Gameday marquee matchup.
With over 50,000 fans at the Virginia Tech game, there will be an expectation of much more in attendance for this weekend’s game.
That doesn’t add any more pressure to the Canes side.
“I think it’s regular,” junior defensive back Jaquan Johnson said. “This is why we came to Miami, to play in big games. It shouldn’t be a surprise for no one on the team. It’s not a surprise to me.”
In last season’s Miami-Notre Dame matchup, it was a 30-27 loss for the Canes. To avenge what happened last time, the home team must find a way to stop the Fighting Irish rushing offense.
Led primarily by the duo of quarterback Brandon Wimbush and Heisman Trophy contender/running back John Adams, Notre Dame (8-1) is averaging 41 points per game this season. Wimbush is coming off an explosive game last week against Wake Forest, as he passed for a career-high 280 yards, ran for 110 more, and totaled three touchdowns to help Notre Dame extend seven-game winning streak.
Miami head coach Mark Richt is well aware of what he has to go up against on Saturday. Despite some struggles on the offensive side, Miami’s defense has stepped up in more ways than one.
However, it’s going to take more than ‘The Turnover Chain’ to get the win against the Fighting Irish.
“We’re about to play a team that is extremely physical, can pound the ball at will and has a quarterback who can certainly make plays,” Richt said. “Their defense is playing great. They’re hot right now, and they’ll be a tough team to play, for sure.”
This tilt essentially restarts a rivalry between the two top flight programs, which was a hot one in the 1980’s and 1990’s. It’s best known as the Catholics vs. Convicts era.
Notre Dame is 18-7-1 all-time against Miami. The winner of this game will improve its position in the next edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, which will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
This game will be televised on ESPN at 8 p.m.
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
