As the Notre Dame vs Miami game is now less than a week away, plenty of Fighting Irish fans are nervous. After all, the Hurricanes were very close to being a playoff team in 2024. They're expected to compete for a playoff spot in 2025. And they have a quarterback with playoff experience in Carson Beck. However, don't count Paul Finebaum among those who believe the 'Canes have a real shot at winning on Sunday.
The ESPN analyst is well known for playing the shock jock. He likes saying things that will outrage fans from one group or another. However, he insists this time that he's 100% serious when he says that the Blue and Gold will roll when they walk into Hard Rock Stadium.
What’s at stake for Notre Dame football in Week 1 vs Miami
"I want to talk about one team here, because I am nervous," Finebaum said about the Notre Dame football game on Sunday afternoon. "There’s a game a week from tonight in Miami, you probably heard about this. (It will be) the luck of the Irish, as Notre Dame beats Miami. Guaranteed, right here."
Another host on SportsCenter during the same segment, Heather Dinich, also talked about the game that has its own day. While most teams will play on Saturday, the matchup that still evokes the "Catholics vs Convicts" game is all alone.
"Huge. You know, remember the selection committee’s tiebreakers include head-to-head results. And what happens in Week One will resonate through selection day with this game. Why? Because both of these teams could be contending for one of those at-large bids," Dinich said. "Notre Dame, obviously, can’t win a conference title and earn a guaranteed spot as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. Miami can if it wins the ACC. But, if it doesn’t, whoever wins this game is going to earn that early edge in the selection committee rankings."
The Notre Dame football faithful have to hope that Paul Finebaum is right. He's indeed locked himself into betting on the Irish and hoping both he and the school do indeed come out lucky.