Miami vs. Notre Dame: Where each team holds an edge

No. 11 Notre Dame hosts No. 1 Miami on Saturday night in Week 10, with each team bringing strengths into the game. CBS Sports’ position-by-position breakdown gives Miami the advantage in passing efficiency and coaching, and Notre Dame the edge in protection and the secondary. Miami will be without receiver Malachi Toney, who ESPN reported will miss Saturday’s game and beyond after a high ankle sprain requiring surgery.

Miami’s passing attack faces Notre Dame’s pass rush

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah leads the nation in passing efficiency and completion percentage, which CBS lists at 80.7%. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr’s recent results on throws traveling at least 15 air yards have been less consistent: he completed four of 24 such passes over the past two games, compared with 21 of 39 across the first six. CBS also reports that Notre Dame has pressured quarterbacks on 34.2% of dropbacks, a test for Mensah’s passing game.

Toney’s injury changes Miami’s receiving options

Miami’s other options include Cooper Barkate, who finished second in the ACC in receiving yards last season and has strong chemistry with Mensah, and tight end Elija Lofton, CBS reported. Notre Dame senior receiver Jordan Faison is on track for a career year, while its ground game has improved behind Nolan James Jr., Jonas Walton and Aneyas Williams. Miami has Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory as its running back pairing.

Notre Dame’s protection and secondary compare favorably

Notre Dame has allowed two sacks, the fewest in the FBS, and pressure on 19.1% of dropbacks. Miami has allowed 10 sacks and pressure on 25.5%, CBS reported. Miami’s own pressure rate is 35.5%, ranking 26th, down from 40.7% and fourth place last season. CBS attributes part of the change to the departures of Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., who were first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Both teams rank among the top 10 in yards allowed per rushing attempt, and CBS characterizes the front-seven comparison as even.

Opposing passers have a 119.0 efficiency rating and average 6.2 yards per attempt against Notre Dame, compared with 134.7 and 7.1 against Miami. Notre Dame has eight interceptions to Miami’s four. CBS cautions that Miami’s opponents have often played from behind and that differing opponents and game conditions complicate direct comparisons.

CBS gives Miami the coaching edge, crediting offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson with devising ways to get the ball to Toney. It also notes that both head coaches have led their teams to title-game appearances in prior seasons. The game remains ahead, so these comparisons describe performance to date; neither team’s Saturday result is established.