Early Notre Dame vs Miami Prediction, Line & Best Bet (Aug. 31)

• It’s a top 10 college football showdown when No. 10 Miami hosts No. 6 Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium on August 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

• Notre Dame is a steady 2.5-point favorite across the board.

• Check out my Notre Dame vs Miami prediction, pick and bets bet for Sunday’s game.

The game that launched the phrase “Catholics vs. Convicts” returns when Miami takes on Notre Dame Sunday night in Miami. ESPN will carry the game.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series 18-8 with one tie. These teams haven’t met since 2017. They met regularly throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and it became one of the nastiest rivalries in college football history.

Miami has brought in former Georgia star QB Carson Beck to take over at QB1 for Heisman winner Cam Ward. Notre Dame reached the CFP title game and will roll with redshirt freshman CJ Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.

Notre Dame vs Miami Betting Line

Notre Dame opened as a 1.5-point favorite, and the line hasn’t changed much since. The Irish are 2.5-point favorites across the board. The total is 49.5, but Caesars has it at 49.0.

Last season, Notre Dame went 9-1 in its last 10 games against the spread. Miami went 4-6 against the number in its last 10 games in 2024.

I’m always looking at the total to find significant value. Notre Dame was 6-4 over/under in its last 10 games last season, Miami was 6-3-1, but man, some of those Miami totals were huge numbers (with Cam Ward). Remember, the totals were in the mid to high 60s.

Notre Dame has won each of its last 12 games as a favorite and covered its last 10 games as a favorite.

Notre Dame vs Miami Last 5 Meetings

Both teams enter with question marks. Carr has never thrown a pass or run the ball in his college career, and he’s going up against a Miami defense that should be better than last year, when it allowed 25.3 points a game (again, with Ward, Miami outscored everyone).

Notre Dame has the luxury of a Heisman candidate (check the odds here) running back, Jeremiyah Love and his partner in the backfield, Jadarian Price.

Beck was good at Georgia, until he wasn’t. He threw 12 interceptions and 28 touchdowns and was eventually replaced as starter. The U has to replace its top five wide receivers and starting running back from last year.

Notre Dame vs Miami Picks and Prediction

• Notre Dame -2.5 (-110 at Caesars)

I’m loving the chance to take the Irish with a small point spread, because I don’t see Miami replacing the production of Cam Ward. Plus, are we sure that Miami is really that good? Before Ward showed up, they were 7-6, 5-7 and 7-5. Beck is no Ward. He doesn’t move like Ward, he doesn’t throw like Ward. If you don’t have an elite QB in college football, you’re not going to win games like this.

The only reason I’m not more on the Irish is because of their own new quarterback. This is a tough spot to make your debut, but I am going to trust Carr’s heritage. I’m also crushing the under on this one; it’s still Week 1, and teams have to get the kinks out. I’m considering the Love bet on 2+ touchdowns at DraftKings, and I may even throw some money on Notre Dame winning by a margin of 18-13.