It is the most important week for Notre Dame football of the 2026 season, as the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes come to South Bend.
After the Irish found out their positioning in the College Football Playoff rankings, No. 11, they now know that they’ll need to beat the top team in the country to have a shot at being inside the top-12. Many, including myself, didn’t think that the rankings was fair, as the committee seemed to judge Notre Dame tougher than other teams.
Regardless of that, the Irish hold their own fate in their hands, win and they’re in. The Hurricanes won’t just roll over, as they’re clearly a very talented team who have multiple player makers. Below you’ll find a few of Miami best players, ones that Notre Dame will be tasked with slowing
down.
Wide receiver Malachi Toney
The belief is that Malachi Toney will miss 4-6 weeks while recovering, sources tell @YahooSports. The timeline puts a possible return for the playoffs. https://t.co/KcXf5QxY8J
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 5, 2026
There is a caveat with Toney, as reports on Wednesday night say that he’s going to miss the game due to an ankle injury. Already over 1,000-yards receiving with 13 touchdowns, he’s in the conversation for best wide receiver in the country. Toney does everything well, even though he’s not an imposing figure at 5-foot, 11-inches and 188-pounds but the talent is evident. The injury takes one of the best players in the country off the field, which is a massive win for Notre Dame.
Defensive end Marquise Lightfoot
Marquise Lightfoot is playing the run VERY well so far pic.twitter.com/6eMnqktgzd
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) September 5, 2026
Notre Dame as after Lightfoot during his recruitment, but opted for the Hurricanes and it looks like the move has paid off of him. Not much playing time during his first season, and a rotational player last year, he’s come around as a junior with 7 sacks and 29 tackles. Lightfoot is coming off his best game of the year, as he’s terrorized North Carolina with 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and forced a fumble. He’s a bit on the lighter side, as 6-foot, 5-inches and 230-pounds, but uses his speed well off the edge. He’s going to test Notre Dame tackles, and we could see the guards and backs helping out to chip him during pass plays.
Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory
Another standout performance from Javian Mallory 😎 pic.twitter.com/yvdo7iIY5E
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 21, 2026
Fletcher suffered an injury earlier in the year and Mallory stepped in as a true freshman and played well. He’s more explosive averaging 7 yards-per-carry, as Fletcher is the thunder and Mallory is the lightning. It will be interesting to see the rotation that Miami uses, as they almost got the same amount of carries against the Tar Heels last week. Regardless of who is out there, Notre Dame has to try to make the Hurricanes one-dimensional on offense, and stopping the run is key to that.
Defensive lineman Damon Wilson II
2.5 SACKS for Damon Wilson tonight pic.twitter.com/fkzRFqBWig
— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) October 4, 2026
Another third-stop Hurricane, Wilson had previously been at Georgia and Missouri before landing in Coral Gables this fall. He’s played well, and while the numbers don’t stand out like a sore thumb, he’s made the most of his opportunities with 3.5 sacks on the year, although most of his damage was done against Clemson. So he can be hot or cold, and he’s been freezing the last few games. Due to Lightfoot on the other side, Wilson will get plenty of one-on-one opportunities, and the Irish offense line has to be up to the challenge of stopping him as well.
Defensive back JJ Dunningan
Miami really has something in true freshman SAF JJ Dunnigan (6’3” 205).
— Jay (@DraftwithJay) November 2, 2026
Still learning in coverage but he’s the perfect box compliment to Bryce Fitzgerald. pic.twitter.com/jHzQROcoyL
Dunnigan’s stat line looks like one of Notre Dame’s defensive backs, 37 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and recovery and an interception for a touchdown. He’s a jack-of-all trades and the Miami defense will put him all over the field. The freshman is long, at 6-foot, 3-inches and 205-pounds, and won’t make life easy for the Notre Dame wide receivers. He’s yet another Hurricanes defender that needs to be spotted on every play.
Quarterback Darian Mensah
#Miami QB Darian Mensah.
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) October 19, 2026
Sixth sense type of play. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/QFPSkYtozx
Miami is his third spot in Mensah’s collegiate career, and he continues to be a very quality quarterback. Over the last three years, one each at Tulane and Duke, he’s thrown for 9,121 yards with 81 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Those are Elise numbers, and while he isn’t much of a rushing threat, he can still move the ball with his legs. Mensah has competed 80.7% of his passes this year, which would be an NCAA record if it holds up. Elite talent, one that should be viewed as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and top NFL draft pick. It won’t be easy for Notre Dame to stop him, but if they can make him uncomfortable in the pocket, there could be some opportunities for a few big plays for the Irish defense.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Know your foe Miami: Notre Dame needs to contain these Hurricanes
