Near-misses have been plaguing Mario Cristobal’s record, keeping Miami away from the playoffs. Even with a widened playoff berth and a brilliant QB in Cam Ward, the HC couldn’t make the cut. But what has stayed with the HC throughout his entire career, is his tag of being an excellent recruiter. Cristobal, in 2025, will hope to not only up his stature as one of the top CFB coaches, but also fight to keep the future of the program alive in this must-win game.
“The whole world knows when we’re playing and who we’re playing in Game 1,” Mario Cristobal said recently. The Hurricanes will face off against their arch-nemesis, Notre Dame, in less than 4 weeks. Experts and fans know how important the game is to either party; especially to Miami. Mario Cristobal is facing a little heat under the HC chair, ever since he took charge in 2021. This is the year he proves his worth at Coral Gables. Because this time, the future of the Hurricanes is at stake.
The stands at the Hard Rock Stadium are going to host Miami’s top 2026 targets, along with two 2027 prospects as well. Making their way to this highly anticipated game are Julie Jones, Zayden Gamble, who remain uncommitted as of now.
Four stars Julie Jones, Zayden Gamble lock in gameday visits for Miami’s season opener vs. Notre Dame https://t.co/0iaJjs3PxQ pic.twitter.com/FWKgEnyD8Q
— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) August 10, 2025
Also visiting are Northwestern commit Jacob Curry, and 5-star RB Derrek Cooper, who’s committed to Texas. Joining from the 2027 cycle are Brayden Tyson, Luke Brewer, and No. 3 prospect Mark Matthews. “[Having] the opportunity to be recruited and go down there for the first time and have a game-day experience, I think that’d be great,” Curry told CaneSport. “It’s a top-tier institution. And also it’s Big Ten football. You’re playing all of the top teams in the country, so I thought that’s a good opportunity for me,” he added. Cristobal now has to kill two birds with one stone. A stellar Hurricane show will keep Miami on the good books for these prospects. And a failure is not something Miami can afford.
This season opener is going to define the rest of the campaign for both parties. Notre Dame’s elite rushing squad will meet its match in Miami’s secondary-centered defense. A win over the Irish will give Mario Cristobal some much needed brownie points, because that’s going to shine on his report card when the playoff rankings are rolled out. Notre, Dame, on the other hand, tend to go on a winning theme if they kick off their campaign with one. This is going to be a textbook swing game, and the fittest of the two will survive. How this pans out for Mario Cristobal and Freeman will define their future in the season. Back at South Bend, however, some unfortunate news rocks the camp.
Mario Cristobal will make use of some key injuries in the Notre Dame offense
Marcus Freeman is coming back in 2025 after a run up to the National Championship. But, he no longer has some of the best players who helped Notre Dame get that far. This season, the Irish offense took a few serious hits, which can cause problems for Freeman. Notre Dame already lost star OL Charles Jagusah last month to a serious injury, after a UTV accident. In the last offseason as well, he was dealing with a similar blow. Joining this list are TE Kevin Bauman and RB Kedren Young, both out for the season.
Bauman is a sixth-year senior, and unfortunately, dealt with injuries for the majority of his career. Sadly, after this latest hit, Bauman will be retiring from football altogether. That’s six years of loyalty to the program gone in vain, and this year was when he would’ve played a bigger role. Unfortunately, that won’t be happening anymore. “While I have been struggling to soak it in, I have taken a few days and prayed about it. While my journey as a football player has come to an end, I can confidently say the rest of my life is just getting started,” Bauman wrote on Instagram.
Young, on the other hand, will miss the action of being part of a top-ranked RB room. This unit is going to be crucial for Notre Dame’s success, but the remaining production should be able to carry on. Jeremiyah Love will still have the support of Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams. The Irish and the Hurricanes will face off with some great players on either side, all setting their eyes on that one prize. Will Mario Cristobal be able to pull off a commanding win – and some recruitments? Or will Marcus Freeman begin his run with a win at Coral Gables?
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