(BCSNN) — Two schools and programs with enough history to fill a dozen "30 for 30" docuseries will clash when No. 6 Notre Dame visits No. 10 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in a season-opening showdown that could shape the early College Football Playoff race. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with national attention focused on a rivalry steeped in history and renewed by high expectations.

Notre Dame enters the 2025 campaign fresh off a national championship game appearance and a 14–2 season under fourth-year head coach Marcus Freeman. The Fighting Irish return seven defensive starters and boast one of the nation’s top rushing attacks, led by Heisman hopeful Jeremiyah Love, who rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Freeman has emphasized physicality and discipline throughout fall camp, calling the opener “a great challenge for the program.”

Redshirt freshman CJ Carr will make his first career start at quarterback for the Irish, having won a tight offseason battle with Kenny Minchey. Carr, the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, will be protected by a veteran offensive line and supported by senior wideout Malachi Fields and tight end Eli Raridon. Freeman said Carr’s intelligence and confidence stood out during camp: “He’s prepared, he’s poised, and he’s ready to lead.”

Miami, meanwhile, is coming off a 10–3 season and its first double-digit win total since 2017. Head coach Mario Cristobal enters his fourth year with a revamped roster and a clear goal: win the ACC and return to national prominence. The Hurricanes added former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck via the transfer portal, and the senior brings a 24–3 career record and nearly 8,000 passing yards to Coral Gables.

Beck will operate behind one of the nation’s top offensive lines, anchored by All-American Francis Mauigoa and veteran guard Anez Cooper. Miami’s backfield features Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown, while the receiving corps is rebuilding after losing its top six pass catchers from 2024. Cristobal said Beck’s experience and leadership have already elevated the offense: “He’s taken command of the huddle and earned the respect of everyone in the building.”

Defensively, Miami has overhauled its secondary with six transfers and will lean on edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe to pressure Carr and contain Notre Dame’s ground game. New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman has emphasized takeaways and ball disruption, aiming to improve on last year’s middling turnover margin. “We’re obsessed with the football,” Hetherman said. “Every snap, every drill—it’s about affecting the ball.”

For Notre Dame, the stakes are especially high. As an independent, the Irish have no conference title to fall back on, and a loss in Week 1 would leave little margin for error in their playoff pursuit. Freeman, who received serious NFL interest after last season’s run, has doubled down on building a mature, resilient program. “We know what it takes to get there,” he said. “Now we have to prove we can do it again.”

Miami, on the other hand, sees Sunday as a chance to validate its rise and shed the perception of being all hype and no substance. With a favorable ACC schedule and a roster loaded with talent, the Hurricanes could position themselves as a playoff contender with a statement win. “This is the kind of game that defines programs,” Cristobal said. “We’re ready to take that step.”

The all-time series favors Notre Dame 18–8–1, but Miami has won six straight home games against the Irish. With playoff implications, legacy narratives, and elite talent on both sidelines, Sunday’s clash promises to be more than just a season opener—it’s a measuring stick for two programs chasing greatness.