Notre Dame Beats No. 1 Miami, but Playoff Work Remains

Published November 9, 2026. Notre Dame’s 31-24 victory over top-ranked Miami ended a week of attention on the Irish’s No. 11 position in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Coach Marcus Freeman said the team’s focus was on its performance, not its ranking. The committee’s next rankings are due Tuesday night.

The ranking had revived memories of 2025, when Notre Dame finished 10-2 but was placed No. 11 in the final standings, behind Miami, and missed the playoff. The Irish had been ranked above Miami in the five previous CFP releases, but the committee ultimately gave weight to Miami’s 27-24 win over Notre Dame in their season opener. Notre Dame then declined bowl consideration.

Safety Luke Talich said the players knew they needed to beat Miami rather than leave their fate to the selection committee. Under the 2026 selection rules, Notre Dame is assured a place in the 12-team playoff if it finishes in the top 12 on Selection Sunday. The team’s win over Miami raised its playoff chances to 92.7%, according to CBS Sports’ forecasting model.

Notre Dame is 8-1, with a 28-24 loss to BYU its other game against a ranked opponent. The Irish host Boston College on Saturday, then welcome SMU on November 21 before closing the regular season at Syracuse. Freeman said the team would return to work immediately, with its next game the priority.