Aug 29, 2025 - Sports

Notre Dame football kicks off season Sunday against Miami

Arika Herron

Football players in green, navy, and white uniforms with gold helmets running out onto the field from a tunnel in a stadium with fans in the background. — CJ Carr was chosen as Notre Dame's starting QB. Photo: Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Notre Dame football is back, baby.

Why it matters: Expectations are high for the Fighting Irish, but the team suiting up to take on Miami on Sunday will be very different from the one that almost won the national championship last season.

Driving the news: Head coach Marcus Freeman, starting his fourth season helming the team, selected redshirt freshman CJ Carr over junior Kenny Minchey for the starting quarterback position.

Freeman said he trusted his gut when making the choice between the two, who were neck and neck in practice — both competing to replace last year's starter, Riley Leonard, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.

Zoom in: No. 6 Notre Dame is favored over the team's longtime rival, No. 10 Miami.

Yes, but: Notre Dame hasn't beaten the Hurricanes at Miami since 1977, and Miami would love to come out of the gate with a big win after missing out on the ACC championship last season.

Zoom out: The schedule doesn't get much easier for Notre Dame as they come home to face No. 19 Texas A&M on Sept. 13.

Other key matchups include No. 25 Boise State at home Oct. 4 and another rivalry matchup against USC in South Bend Oct. 18 — a game that quite possibly could have playoff implications for both teams.

How to watch: The Miami game starts at 7:30pm Sunday on ABC.

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Notre Dame football kicks off season Sunday against Miami

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