Notre Dame Faces Miami in Playoff-Defining Week 10
Paul Finebaum says a loss to No. 1 Miami would keep Notre Dame out of the College Football Playoff.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Notre Dame, which defeated Navy 35-13 on Saturday, plays No. 1 Miami this coming weekend in Week 10. Commentator Paul Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show that a loss to Miami would end Notre Dame's playoff hopes.
Why it matters
Notre Dame missed the College Football Playoff last year at 10-2 and lost head-to-head to Miami, so the matchup carries weight for its postseason standing. Finebaum argued a defeat would leave the Fighting Irish without a quality win.
Notre Dame finished 10-2 last year and missed the playoff, and it led Navy only 14-13 at halftime before winning 35-13. Miami enters Week 10 ranked No. 1 nationally, and the outcome of the matchup against Notre Dame remains unknown.
The players
Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum is a prominent college football commentator known for his outspoken analysis of Southeastern Conference and national playoff issues.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame is a private university in Indiana whose football program is one of the most storied and nationally followed in college football.
Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes are the football program of the University of Miami, which is currently ranked No. 1 nationally.
Marcus Freeman
Marcus Freeman is the head football coach of Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish in their Week 10 matchup against Miami.
The details
Finebaum made the comments on The Matt Barrie Show, arguing that Notre Dame would have no quality wins if it lost to Miami. Marcus Freeman coaches Notre Dame, which is favored to lose to the top-ranked Hurricanes in what is the marquee game of Week 10.
Timeline
Last year: Notre Dame finished 10-2 and missed the College Football Playoff.
Saturday: Notre Dame defeated Navy 35-13.
This coming weekend (Week 10): Notre Dame plays Miami.
Season Trajectory
Notre Dame missed the playoff last year at 10-2 after losing head-to-head to Miami, and a second loss to the Hurricanes this weekend would repeat that pattern. Finebaum's argument frames the game as a test of whether Notre Dame can produce a quality win that last season's resume lacked.
A loss to Miami would leave Notre Dame without a quality win on its résumé, which is the central argument for its playoff case. Fantasy and betting interest will center on the Notre Dame and Miami matchup as the marquee Week 10 game.
The takeaway
Notre Dame's season now hinges on a single game against the nation's top-ranked team, and a win would supply the quality result its playoff résumé has lacked.
What happens next
Notre Dame plays Miami this coming weekend in Week 10, a game that will shape the Fighting Irish's College Football Playoff chances.
Further reading
Follow the latest in Football as Notre Dame and Miami prepare for their Week 10 showdown.
