How Much Does Malachi Toney’s Injury Change the Miami Hurricanes’ Offense?

As the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes travel to South Bend, Indiana, for a prime-time historic rivalry matchup against No. 11 Notre Dame, there will be significant changes to the offense.

Superstar wide receiver Malachi Toney is reportedly out for the rest of the regular season, undergoing high ankle sprain surgery, but leaving the door open to potentially return for the College Football Playoffs. He leads the offense with 1,157 all-purpose yards, 73 catches on 85 targets, and 13 touchdowns.

Losing the 19-year-old to an injury in practice is a significant loss, but it's not something the Hurricanes can allow to hold them back with the College Football Playoffs at stake. It's an opportunity for others to step up.

As Toney will be sidelined, redshirt senior Cooper Barkate is the likely option to be elevated as the go-to wide receiver. Given the connection between him and quarterback Darian Mensah from last season at Duke, the Hurricanes could look to lean heavily on that chemistry.

This year, Barkate has caught 28 passes on 33 targets for 372 yards while scoring four touchdowns. He's taken a back seat to Toney, but the 23-year-old is more than capable of putting together an explosive performance. Last season, Barkate had four games with at least 90 receiving yards, but currently has just one.

Sophomore wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw will likely see more time in the slot, in place of Toney. The 19-year-old has surpassed last season's production with 263 receiving yards on 22 catches (30 targets) while scoring two touchdowns. Upshaw has started in six of eight games.

Others behind in the depth chart could see an increase in playing time, such as Vandrevius Jacobs, Somourian Wingo, and Vance Spafford. One of them will move up to the starting lineup. Jacobs is the most experienced with three prior seasons of college football.

The Hurricanes' run game is currently the 21st best-ranked in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory have led the charge; meanwhile, Jordan Lyle continues to gain meaningful snaps. The Hurricanes always look to establish the run, but it could be a greater emphasis without Toney for the foreseeable future.

Without the Liberty City (Fla.) native, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will need to make tweaks to the game plan while relying on different personnel. Plus, tight end Elija Lofton has seen an increase in targets over the last six games.

In the Hurricanes' 43-13 win over Clemson, it's the latest data on the offense finding success without Toney being explosive. He was held to 40 receiving yards on five catches while scoring no touchdowns. Meanwhile, Barkate and Fletcher Jr. combined for three touchdowns.

That type of outing could be what the Hurricanes need to get over the finish line in an attempt to win the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time ever.

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