Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love stirred the pot this week, and he didn’t need a single carry to do it. After Indiana capped off its perfect season with a win over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship, Love posted a short but pointed message on Instagram: “Brought a smile to my face Indiana.” That post didn’t stay quiet for long-it quickly made the rounds on social media, drawing plenty of attention, especially from Miami fans still reeling from the loss.
To understand why that message hit a nerve, you’ve got to rewind the clock a bit.
Love, one of the top running backs in the country, had a standout 2025 season at Notre Dame. He racked up 1,372 rushing yards and found the end zone 18 times, earning himself a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He was the engine of the Irish offense, and his name became a fixture in every conversation about elite college backs.
But when it came time to sort out the College Football Playoff picture, things got messy. Notre Dame and Miami were both in the thick of the at-large debate, and one game loomed large: Miami’s 27-24 win over the Irish in the season opener at Hard Rock Stadium.
That early-season victory became a key talking point for analysts pushing Miami’s case, and ultimately, the Hurricanes got the nod. Notre Dame was left on the outside looking in.
That decision didn’t sit well with Irish fans-or with Love.
To add another layer, Love’s worst statistical performance of the year came in that very game against Miami. So while his Instagram post might’ve looked like a neutral shoutout to Indiana on the surface, the context suggests otherwise.
For Miami fans, it felt like a jab. For Love, it may have been a little personal.
And this isn’t the first time his name popped up during Miami’s playoff run.
After the Hurricanes knocked off Texas A&M in the first round of the CFP, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa took to social media with a message of his own: “Hey Jeremiyah Love, you mad?” That moment also went viral, especially since Love had been openly pulling for the Aggies that week.
So what we’re seeing here isn’t just a one-off post-it’s part of a simmering back-and-forth between players from two powerhouse programs who’ve been circling each other all year. There’s no official rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami right now, but if this season’s drama is any indication, we might be watching one take shape in real time.
As for Miami, the sting of coming up just short in the national title game is still fresh. The Hurricanes had a shot to finish the job but couldn’t get past Indiana, who closed out a dream season with a championship. Now, Miami faces the offseason reality: NFL declarations, transfer portal exits, and the what-ifs that come with being second-best.
Meanwhile, Jeremiyah Love is watching from afar-and clearly, he’s enjoying the view.