Notre Dame Game 1 Preview

Get up! It’s Gameday, Irish fans.

The 2025 football season finally kicks off tonight in Miami, back at Hard Rock Stadium. It feels like just yesterday we were glued to the screen watching Mitch Jeter make a game-winning kick in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Now we start all over in 2025, with a new QB in CJ Carr leading a mix of familiar and fresh faces, all wearing that Blue and Gold together.

The Irish won’t be easing into this season, as they take on an ACC favorite, the 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes, led by Heisman contender Carson Beck. Yes, folks, it’s the newest rendition of Catholics vs. Convicts, a series unfortunately dominated by Miami in recent years, with ND going 0-6 in the last six meetings.

With Riley Leonard off to the NFL, the chance to end that streak, and kick off 2025 on a high note, lies in the arm of redshirt freshman CJ Carr. Who won a tight QB battle this fall. Expectations are high, but Carr doesn’t need to be Brady Quinn on day one. He steps into an offense full of weapons, including one of… if not the… best RB groups in the nation, with three (maybe four) potential Power Four starters behind him.

The biggest name? Jeremiyah Love, now fully healthy and ready to prove he's the best back in the country.

And it’s not just the backfield. Carr has one of the deepest pass-catching groups Notre Dame has had in years, and, of course, the staple of Irish football: the offensive line. It’s deep, experienced, and ready to protect their young gunslinger.

On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame will be tested by a very talented Miami offense, but the Irish feel confident in their two-deep. Leading the way is anchor LB Drake Bowen, along with two standout cornerbacks: Christian Gray and Leonard Moore. Week 1 will be a challenge, as the Irish must contain not only Beck, but also highly touted running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle. ND will be tested from the opening snap, both on the ground and through the air.

3 Keys to an Irish Victory

1. Get the running game going

The Irish need to make sure Carr doesn’t feel like he has to play hero tonight. If we can establish the run early and open up easy passing lanes, Carr can play within his strengths instead of forcing throws.

2. Start fast; early lead or early stops

This isn’t just about Carr’s confidence. Taking an early lead, or getting key defensive stop, can quiet the Hurricanes’ crowd and shift the momentum our way.

3. Finish drives: 6, not 3

Last season at Texas A&M and again versus Northern Illinois, we struggled to finish drives in the red zone. That can’t happen tonight. Against a team like Miami, we need touchdowns, not field goals. It sounds obvious, but it’s critical.

Tonight marks a new era, the post-transfer-QB era, as Carr becomes the first recruited, non-transfer starter in over three seasons. We have to trust Coach Marcus Freeman and remember: this is a freshman making his first collegiate start. Just look at Arch Manning, a redshirt sophomore with Heisman hype, who completely flopped in his opener. This is all part of the process. Let’s believe in the Irish!

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Let’s cheer on Notre Dame tonight, and let’s break this streak in Miami!