ACC Football News & Notes: No. 1 Miami and No. 4 Irish Clash in Season-Defining Showdown

Now that November has arrived, another poll has entered the picture for the ACC. On Tuesday night, the season’s initial College Football Playoff rankings were unveiled, bringing great news for the conference. Miami grabbed the #1 spot—marking the first time in program history the Hurricanes have held the top ranking in the CFP poll—while Wake Forest joined them at #16, making their first appearance in the playoff rankings since 2022. Both teams are also featured prominently in the AP Top 25, with Miami sitting at #1 for the second consecutive week (securing 62 of 70 first-place votes) and Wake Forest coming in at #14. In the USA Today Coaches Poll, Miami holds the top spot, Wake Forest ranks #14, and SMU checks in at #24.

Several crucial matchups dot the ACC schedule this weekend, none bigger than the Saturday night primetime showdown in South Bend, Indiana, where #1 Miami visits #4 Notre Dame. Miami is one of just four remaining undefeated teams in the nation and one of four with eight victories. The Hurricanes are also one of four programs with six Power Four wins and the only team in the FBS to score at least 30 points in every game this season. The Canes lead the nation in scoring at 47.6 points per game and rank second nationally in total offense with 534.9 yards per contest.

The dynamic duo of quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney has sparked Miami’s offense all season. Mensah leads the FBS in total QBR, completion percentage, passing efficiency, and passing touchdowns, while ranking second in yards per pass attempt and third in points responsible for. Meanwhile, Toney ranks second nationally in receptions per game, third in receiving yards, and tied for second in receiving touchdowns. Defensively, the Hurricanes boast the nation’s top rushing defense, allowing just 60.8 yards per game. Miami has also proven to be stellar on the road, standing as one of only two FBS programs with a 4-0 road record.

Unfortunately, Toney will have surgery on his ankle and will not play for possibly the rest of the regular season. The Canes hope for him to be fully ready come playoff time.

Really hope Malachi can play. Would feel bad for him if he has to sit out.

Also, would be an asterisk win like beating #1 Clemson in 2020 without Trevor Lawrence.

— Notre Dame Fighting Irish (@Insidetheirish) November 4, 2026

Notre Dame enters the contest at 7-1 overall, including a perfect 3-0 record at home. The Irish are averaging 40.4 points per game while yielding just 13.0 points per game on defense. They convert 43% of their third-down attempts (40-of-92) and possess a 67% red-zone touchdown rate (24-of-36), converting on 86% of red-zone trips overall (31-of-35). Notre Dame has outscored its opponents 323-107 on the season, dominating in both the second quarter (103-48) and fourth quarter (74-20).

Quarterback CJ Carr is enjoying a stellar season for the Irish, completing 148 of 222 passes for 1,849 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just one interception, good for a 162.5 passer efficiency rating and 231.1 passing yards per game. Running back Nolan James paces the ground game with 526 yards and eight touchdowns on 90 carries. Carr’s top target options include wide receivers Jordan Faison (38 receptions, 497 yards, 4 TDs) and Micah Gilbert (24 receptions, 430 yards, 3 TDs). Defensively, linebacker Drayk Bowen leads the team with 45 tackles (24 solo), while edge rushers Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young have logged 5.5 sacks apiece. Safety Luke Talich leads the secondary with two of the team’s eight total interceptions. Offensively, Notre Dame’s ground attack has gained momentum, picking up double-digit rushing first downs in three of their last four games.

Notre Dame holds an 18-9-1 lead in the all-time series across 28 total matchups. The last meeting between the two powers came in 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium, where Miami earned a hard-fought 27-24 victory.