Miami vs Notre Dame: Score, Prediction, History & Next Game
Every college football fan knows the name of that one game — the one where the outcome came down to a failed two-point conversion in the final seconds. That moment defined the Miami-Notre Dame rivalry, and decades later, the matchup still carries weight. Whether you’re here for the prediction odds, the iconic 1988 showdown, or the next scheduled meeting in 2026, here’s everything you need to know about this legendary college football clash.
Recent Score: Miami 27-24 Notre Dame (Aug 31, 2025) ·
Next Game: Miami at Notre Dame (Nov 7, 2026) ·
Rivalry Nickname: Catholics vs Convicts ·
Iconic Matchup: 1988 Notre Dame 31-30 Miami
Quick snapshot
- Nov 7, 2026: Miami at Notre Dame (UHND)
- Live coverage on ESPN networks (UHND)
- Notre Dame leads 18-8-1 (UHND)
- Multiple upsets across decades (UHND)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Teams | Miami Hurricanes vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| Most Famous Game | 1988 Notre Dame 31-30 win |
| Rivalry Span | 1955-present, intermittent schedule |
| Recent Winner | Miami (Aug 31, 2025) |
| Next Matchup | November 7, 2026 |
Who is favored to win: Miami FL or Notre Dame?
The betting markets have Notre Dame as a slight favorite heading into the 2025 renewal. FanDuel listed Notre Dame as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 51.5 points and a moneyline of -137 for Notre Dame versus +114 for Miami, according to SI.com (college football analytics). DraftKings similarly posted Notre Dame -2.5 with totals ranging from 49.5 to 51.5, per NBC Sports (odds compilation).
Prediction odds and picks
The SP+ predictive model gave Notre Dame a 52% chance to win with a projected score of 30-29, according to SI.com (college football analytics). CBS Sports also noted Notre Dame as 2.5-point favorites with an over/under of 51.5. However, staff predictions were split: The Miami Hurricane editorial staff favored Miami across three separate score predictions (31-20, 24-17, 28-23), while the ND Observer beat pick leaned toward Notre Dame 24-17.
August 31, 2025 matchup analysis
The 2025 season opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida drew significant attention given both programs’ rankings and the rivalry’s historical weight. About 63% of bets placed favored Notre Dame covering the 2.5-point spread, per SI.com (betting market data).
Notre Dame carries the favorite status by a slim margin, but the market shows genuine uncertainty — the spread is tight enough that either outcome felt plausible on game day.
Why is it called Catholics vs. convicts?
The nickname “Catholics vs. Convicts” emerged from the 1988 game between Notre Dame, a university founded by Congregation of Holy Cross priests, and Miami, whose players at the time were known for their aggressive, hard-edged reputation on and off the field. The moniker captured something deeper than religion — it represented a clash of cultures in college football, per Wikipedia (sports history documentation).
Origins of the rivalry nickname
The phrase gained traction among fans and media covering that October 15, 1988 showdown, where Notre Dame narrowly defeated Miami 31-30 on a failed two-point conversion attempt by the Hurricanes in the closing moments. The game itself was a national championship showdown, and the narrative of disciplined Catholicism against Miami’s swaggering, defiant style resonated across college football, according to Canes Warning (Miami fan coverage).
Cultural clash in college football
The rivalry’s intensity stemmed from more than just football — it reflected broader tensions in college athletics between traditional powerhouses with institutional prestige and programs built on raw talent and aggressive play. Notre Dame held a 12-1-1 series advantage through 1980, but Miami’s surge in the 1980s under coach Jimmy Johnson shifted the balance dramatically, per UHND (college football history archive).
The “Catholics vs. Convicts” label stuck because it distilled a complex rivalry into a single phrase that college football fans still recognize decades later — rare longevity for a nickname tied to a specific era.
How to watch Notre Dame Miami?
Television coverage for the Miami-Notre Dame matchups typically lands on major college football broadcast partners, with ESPN and its family of networks handling most national telecasts. For the August 31, 2025 game at Hard Rock Stadium, coverage began in the early evening window standard for Week 1 matchups, per scheduling patterns documented by CBS Sports (broadcast scheduling).
TV channel and stream info
The primary broadcast for recent Miami-Notre Dame games has aired on ABC or ESPN networks, with streaming available through ESPN+ for supplemental coverage and replays. The 2025 season opener at Hard Rock Stadium featured standard college football broadcast arrangements, according to NBC Sports (media coverage).
Game time and live coverage
The scheduled November 7, 2026 meeting at Notre Dame Stadium will likely follow similar broadcast patterns, with kickoff times typically announced 7-10 days in advance by the conferences and networks. Fans should monitor ESPN’s college football schedule page for confirmed start times and channel assignments, per UHND (venue and scheduling information).
For the 2026 matchup in South Bend, check ESPN’s schedule release in early November — kickoff times for rivalry games often shift to prime-time slots when both teams are ranked.
Has Notre Dame ever beaten Miami?
Notre Dame has defeated Miami multiple times across the rivalry’s history, including several high-profile victories. The Irish lead the all-time series 18-8-1 prior to the 2025 game, with Notre Dame’s wins including the 1988 Catholics vs. Convicts showdown (31-30), the 2010 Sun Bowl (33-17), and a 41-3 victory at Soldier Field in Chicago on October 6, 2012, according to UHND (series records).
Key Notre Dame victories
The 1988 Catholics vs. Convicts game remains the most celebrated Notre Dame win in the series. The Irish’s 31-30 victory on October 15, 1988 sealed the national championship, with the game-deciding moment coming on a failed Miami two-point conversion attempt, per Wikipedia (college football rivalries). Earlier, Notre Dame’s 44-0 win in 1973 represented Miami’s largest loss in the series, also per Wikipedia.
Full series history overview
The series began on October 7, 1955, with Notre Dame winning 14-0 in Miami. The Irish dominated early, building a 12-1-1 record through 1980. Miami’s first win came on November 12, 1960 (28-21), and the series also featured a 0-0 tie on November 27, 1965. Notre Dame won 41-3 on October 6, 2012, at Soldier Field in Chicago, according to UHND.
Notre Dame built its series lead during the first three decades, but Miami’s surge in the 1980s — including a 58-7 blowout in 1985 — reshaped the rivalry’s competitive narrative.
Who won 1988 Miami vs Notre Dame?
Notre Dame won the iconic 1988 matchup 31-30 over Miami. The game was decided in the final seconds when Miami attempted a two-point conversion after scoring a late touchdown, but the conversion failed, allowing Notre Dame to hold on for the one-point victory, according to UHND (game recaps).
The iconic 1988 game recap
The October 15, 1988 game at Notre Dame Stadium was a de facto national championship game, with both teams ranked in the top five. Notre Dame’s 31-30 win propelled the Irish to the national championship that season, with coach Lou Holtz leading the team to the title, per Canes Warning (Miami perspective). The failed two-point conversion by Miami became one of the most memorable plays in college football history.
Notre Dame’s famous play
While the game-winning moment was Miami’s failed conversion attempt, Notre Dame’s ability to build and protect a late lead proved decisive. The Irish held on despite Miami’s offensive pressure in the closing minutes, cementing the game’s place in college football lore, according to Wikipedia (rivalry documentation).
Miami actually dominated many 1980s meetings — including a 58-7 blowout in 1985 and a 24-0 shutout in 1987 — yet the single game they lost in 1988 became the rivalry’s defining moment.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Notre Dame | 14-0 | Series opener |
| 1960 | Miami | 28-21 | Miami’s first win |
| 1965 | Tie | 0-0 | Only tie in series |
| 1985 | Miami | 58-7 | Largest margin in series |
| 1988 | Notre Dame | 31-30 | Catholics vs Convicts, national championship game |
| 2010 | Notre Dame | 33-17 | Sun Bowl, post-hiatus meeting |
| 2017 | Miami | 41-8 | Snapped Notre Dame’s four-game streak |
| 2025 | Miami | 27-24 | Most recent meeting |
Rivalry Timeline
Nine key moments that define the Notre Dame-Miami football relationship across seven decades.
The rivalry paused for two decades after 1990 due to tensions between the programs, then resumed in a neutral-site bowl setting before returning to regular scheduling, per UHND (rivalry history).
What We Know vs What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- 1988 game result: Notre Dame 31-30 on failed two-point conversion
- August 31, 2025 final score: Miami 27-24
- Rivalry nickname “Catholics vs. Convicts” documented from 1988
- Notre Dame leads series 18-8-1 (pre-2025)
- Series paused for two decades after 1990
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of one vacated win affecting series record
- Player-specific injury status for 2026 matchup
- Weather conditions for November 7, 2026 game in South Bend
- Whether series scheduling becomes permanent after 2026
Expert Perspectives
The rivalry’s animosity was cemented by the shocking 58-7 score, even calling punt blocks in the fourth quarter.
— UHND (college football history archive)
Catholics vs. Convicts… Notre Dame prevailed 31-30, sealing the game on a failed two-point conversion by Miami.
— Canes Warning (Miami fan coverage)
SP+ predicts that Notre Dame will defeat Miami by a projected score of 30 to 29.
— SP+ Model (college football analytics)
Summary
The Miami-Notre Dame football rivalry has delivered some of college football’s most memorable moments since 1955, from the iconic 1988 Catholics vs. Convicts showdown to recent thrillers decided by three points. While Notre Dame holds the historical series lead, Miami has won the two most recent meetings, and the November 7, 2026 clash in South Bend will determine whether that momentum continues. For fans planning to attend or watch, the betting odds suggest another close game — and given this rivalry’s track record, that expectation is entirely reasonable.
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Notre Dame’s recent 37-15 win over Pittsburgh highlights their rivalry prowess ahead of the intense Miami showdown this season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Miami vs Notre Dame score from August 31, 2025?
Miami defeated Notre Dame 27-24 in a thriller at Hard Rock Stadium on August 31, 2025.
When is the Miami vs Notre Dame game time?
The next scheduled meeting is November 7, 2026, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Specific kickoff times are typically announced 7-10 days before each game through ESPN’s schedule releases.
What is the Miami vs Notre Dame live stream?
Miami-Notre Dame games typically air on ABC or ESPN networks. Streaming is available through ESPN+ for select games and replays, with the ESPN app providing live coverage for authenticated subscribers.
What is the history of Miami vs Notre Dame?
The series began on October 7, 1955. Notre Dame built an early 12-1-1 advantage through 1980, but Miami surged in the 1980s with dominant wins like 58-7 in 1985. The 1988 “Catholics vs. Convicts” game remains the rivalry’s most famous moment. The Irish lead the all-time series 18-8-1.
What is the next Miami vs Notre Dame game?
Miami travels to Notre Dame Stadium for a November 7, 2026 matchup. This will be the first meeting in South Bend since 2017, when Miami won 41-8.
Who has the edge in Miami vs Notre Dame head-to-head?
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 18-8-1, but Miami has won the two most recent meetings (2017 and 2025). The betting odds for recent games show Notre Dame as slight favorites, suggesting competitive balance in the modern era.
Why is the Notre Dame-Miami rivalry famous?
The rivalry became famous for the 1988 “Catholics vs. Convicts” game, where Notre Dame beat Miami 31-30 on a failed two-point conversion. The nickname captured a clash between the Catholic university’s disciplined image and Miami’s aggressive, swaggering style. The game carried national championship implications and remains one of college football’s most iconic moments.
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