College Football: Hot and Cold Takes for Notre Dame VS Miami

This week has been wild. I have been on redeye flights going around the country while trying to keep up with the latest injuries news, line movements, and hot takes. This is the one we’ve all been waiting for….so let’s let this rip.

Darian Mensah struggles early, but keeps Miami in the game with big plays before the half and late in the second half

Mensah has been fantastic…there is no sugarcoating it. He lost arguably the best weapon in college football with Malachi Toney being out, but that doesn’t take away from just how good he has been. HOWEEEVAAA…this is, by far, the biggest moment and game of his career. He has faced ranked teams before, but those opponents were Virginia, Illinois, and Georgia Tech. They haven’t faced a ranked team this year and have squeaked by against both UNC and FSU. Has Mensah been the reason for those struggles? Absolutely not. But he is heading into a buzzsaw of an environment without his top wideout and with a floundering defense. That’s a lot of pressure to put on one guy!

I think the pressure and moment gets to him early. He’ll come out slow, and the crowd will be all over him. I do expect him to settle in and respond, putting together a scoring drive late in the first half to either tie the game or bring it back to within one score. Finally, just as the Irish are ready to put Miami away, Mensah will also keep them in it with a late score with his legs…Mensah will struggle early, but finish with a solid showing despite losing his most potent weapon.

Carr has been very good this year. He’s completing nearly 70% of his passes, has thrown 18 touchdowns, and has just one interception…and yet…there is still more to be desired. Carr has been a very good quarterback for Notre Dame, but he hasn’t had a true “defining moment.” In every big game, he has been somewhere between average and solid, operating more like a game manager than a difference-maker. That changes this week. CJ finally steps up and delivers an elite performance.

This is not the 2025 Miami defense, and this unit has shown some significant vulnerabilities over the last few weeks. Look for Notre Dame to dial up a double move early after Carr establishes his rhythm with the usual Faison completions. CJ will go for over 300 yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding a fourth on the ground, cementing a marquee moment for the beloved Irish QB.

Your Takes: Please leave your takes below (hot, cold medium-any temp). I will feature the Top Takes next week. GO IRISH!