Will No. 1 Miami Hurricanes' Defense Have Enough to Disrupt No. 11 Notre Dame's Offense?

MIAMI, Fla. – The No. 1 Miami Hurricanes' defense has been inconsistent over the last three games, mostly in the secondary, but all the errors and miscues will need to be corrected ahead of a prime-time matchup against No. 11 Notre Dame.

As the initial College Football Playoff rankings were revealed on Tuesday night, the stakes for Saturday's historic rivalry matchup have grown.

The Hurricanes currently have the best scoring offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision; however, the Fighting Irish aren't that far behind with having the fifth-best. The independent program is led by star quarterback CJ Carr. He's completed 148 of 222 passes (66.7 percent while throwing for 1,849 yards and 18 touchdowns with on interception on the season.

Carr has some familiarity with the Hurricanes' defensive line from last year's opener at Hard Rock Stadium. It marked the 21-year-old's first collegiate start. Despite a 27-24 loss, Carr completed 19 of 30 passes (63.3 percent) while throwing for 221 yards and scoring three total touchdowns (two passing and one rushing; both in the second half) with one interception. 

It's been over a year since the last outing and the Saline (MI) native has made personal strides. Even when asking the Hurricanes' defensive line about Carr's improvements, they have noticed a difference.

"He's more experienced," edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot said at Tuesday's media availability on Zoom. "He's starting to trust his [offensive line] more. Once we can get him uncomfortable in that pocket, that's when I feel we'll see a change."

Carr has only been sacked twice this season, which is the fewest in FBS. Notre Dame's starting offensive line has primarily featured left tackle Will Black (sophomore), Anthonie Knapp (junior), center Joe Otting (senior), right guard Ashton Craig (fifth-year), and right tackle Guerby Lambert (junior). Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are tied for the eighth-most sacks in FBS, currently with 24 total.

Lightfoot leads and is second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with seven.

"We're going to repeat what we did last year," he added.

Carr was sacked three times in the previous outing.

The Hurricanes have a plethora of options that can generate pressure, like defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., edge rusher Armondo Blount, defensive tackle Justin Scott, and edge rusher Herbert Scroggins III.

However, defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman starts with a focus on stopping the run. Notre Dame's backfield cast is different without Jeremiyah Love (No. 3; Arizona Cardinals) and Jadarian Price (No. 32; Seattle Seahawks), both of whom were first-round selections in this year's NFL Draft. It's been Nolan James Jr. (sophomore), Jonaz Walton (freshman), and Aneyas Williams (junior) filling the void.

The Fighting Irish have the 38th-best rushing offense in FBS; meanwhile, the Hurricanes have the rushing defense.

"We just go with the same game plan," Scott said. "Attack the quarterback, make teams one-dimensional, and stop the run."

Statistically, what could be a difference in this matchup is how Carr's experience goes against pressure. The Hurricanes' defensive line has built an identity around violence and swarming. Carr will have to navigate through it with National Championship hopes on the line.

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