Miami Falls to No. 6 After Notre Dame Loss
The Hurricanes dropped their first game of the season, 31-24 at Notre Dame, and slid in the Coaches Poll.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
Miami fell from its position to No. 6 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after losing 31-24 at Notre Dame, its first defeat of the season. The Hurricanes are now 8-1 and were without star receiver Malachi Toney.
Why it matters
The loss will affect Miami's College Football Playoff ranking, and the team is waiting to see how much damage was done. Miami still hopes its three remaining home games will be enough to secure an ACC championship berth.
Miami's 31-24 loss at Notre Dame dropped the Hurricanes from their prior position to No. 6 in the Coaches Poll, while Notre Dame climbed from No. 6 to No. 3. The effect on Miami's College Football Playoff standing remains to be seen.
The players
Malachi Toney
Toney is a star receiver for Miami whose absence hurt the Hurricanes' offense in the loss at Notre Dame.
Elija Lofton
Lofton is a Notre Dame defender who jarred loose Miami's game-tying touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
Manny Diaz
Diaz is the former Miami coach whose Duke team hosts the Hurricanes next week.
The details
Miami mounted a second-half comeback at Notre Dame but could not complete it, with Elija Lofton jarring loose a fourth-quarter touchdown catch that would have tied the game. The Hurricanes started slowly after struggling without Malachi Toney.
Timeline
Nov. 8, 2026: Coaches Poll released with Miami at No. 6.
Next week: Miami hosts Duke, coached by former UM coach Manny Diaz.
Season Trajectory
Miami's first loss of the season leaves its playoff hopes dependent on remaining home games, a stark contrast to the program's 2001 national championship run. The result also reshapes the top of the Coaches Poll, with Georgia now No. 1 and Utah undefeated at No. 2.
Miami's loss puts pressure on its remaining home games, since it has no road games left and must win at home to keep its playoff hopes alive. Fantasy and betting followers should track Malachi Toney's status for the Duke game.
The takeaway
Losses without a key player like Malachi Toney show how much depth matters in close games. Miami's remaining schedule now decides whether a single defeat becomes a lasting setback.
What happens next
Miami hosts Duke next week, a game that will shape the team's ACC title hopes.
Further reading
For more on the Hurricanes' season, see Football coverage.
