As the College Football Playoff field took shape, few debates stirred more tension than the final at-large spot - and at the heart of it all were two familiar names: Notre Dame and Miami. The Hurricanes ultimately got the nod, thanks in part to their head-to-head win over the Irish in Week 1. But even after securing their place and advancing with a win on Saturday, Miami couldn’t seem to leave Notre Dame in the rearview mirror.
That was clear in the postgame celebration, where Miami players and coaches sent a not-so-subtle message aimed squarely at South Bend - and specifically, at Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
In the locker room after the game, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa took to Instagram with a pointed jab: “Hey Jeremiyah Love, you mad?” he said, grinning alongside a teammate.
It wasn’t coded. It wasn’t vague.
It was Miami letting Notre Dame - and Love - know they hadn’t forgotten.
This moment adds another layer to what’s quickly becoming a renewed rivalry between two of college football’s most tradition-rich programs. The Irish and the Hurricanes have a long, storied history, and the tension between the two seems to be heating up again - with next year’s matchup in South Bend already circling the calendar.
So why the personal shot at Love?
It wasn’t random. The Miami locker room was responding to a bit of fuel that Love himself had thrown on the fire.
Ahead of the Hurricanes’ playoff opener, Love posted a message on Instagram rooting for Texas A&M, writing, “Texas A&M, you know the job.” The implication was clear: he wanted the Aggies to knock Miami out of the Playoff.
That didn’t happen. Miami pulled out a gritty 10-3 win in a game that was more slugfest than showcase, with both offenses struggling to find rhythm - a far cry from the more explosive efforts both teams showed earlier in the season, including in their matchups against Notre Dame.
With the win, Miami advanced - and they clearly didn’t forget who was cheering against them.
As for Jeremiyah Love, he won’t get a chance to respond on the field. The Notre Dame star has already declared for the NFL Draft, meaning he’ll be watching next year’s clash from the pro ranks. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a competitor like Love, who no doubt would’ve relished the opportunity to settle the score in South Bend.
Instead, the baton will pass to the next wave of Irish talent, and the stage is already set for another chapter in this simmering feud. If Saturday’s postgame chatter is any indication, the Miami-Notre Dame rivalry is back - and it’s personal.