Overview

• Head coach Marcus Freeman framed the night-game road start as the stage Notre Dame seeks, with Carr set to throw his first college pass against the Hurricanes.
• Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and ESPN’s Louis Riddick project an elite Irish defense and a run-first plan built around Jeremiyah Love, who logged 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
• Running back Jeremiyah Love said the team has adopted a “hunter” mindset, describing an approach focused on attacking rather than protecting a lead.
• Notre Dame returns 11 starters but its quarterbacks have just three career pass attempts, while the right guard job remains unsettled between Sullivan Absher and Guerby Lambert as the staff plans heavy defensive end rotations.
• Preview coverage predicts strong results with caveats: ClutchPoints projects an 11–1 season and a possible first-round CFP exit, Quinn anticipates a low-scoring Irish win over Miami, and Joel Klatt picks Notre Dame 24–17 with a narrow betting edge.