Notre Dame, Miami Opening Game Expected Impact College Football Playoff

Notre Dame's football team, famously known as the 'Fighting Irish,' nearly adopted the less memorable nickname 'Blue Comets' in the 1920s before the original moniker was popularized by sportswriter Francis Wallace. As the new season approaches, key storylines for Notre Dame include the introduction of a new defensive coordinator, a competitive quarterback battle, and the return of a star running back, all of which are being closely followed by fans and media. The season opener features a crucial matchup between Notre Dame and Miami, both highly ranked teams with strong playoff aspirations, where the outcome could significantly influence their chances for at-large bids to the College Football Playoff. ESPN analyst Heather Dinich highlighted the importance of this game, noting that the selection committee's tiebreakers, including head-to-head results, make this early contest impactful throughout the season. Notre Dame, which reached the national championship game last year as an at-large team, and Miami, an ACC contender, both started the season in the Top 10 of the Coaches Poll and among the favorites for the title, making their clash a pivotal moment for college football playoff positioning.