Miami’s biggest weapon is dealing with an ankle injury just days before the Hurricanes head to South Bend for Saturday’s showdown with Notre Dame.
Malachi Toney’s status is now up in the air, and that matters on two fronts: Miami’s offense could be short-handed in one of its toughest tests of the season, and the sophomore receiver’s Heisman push could take a hit if he can’t go.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Toney is “uncertain” for Saturday because of the ankle issue, though he is “expected to press and attempt to play.” On3’s Pete Nakos said the injury happened during Wednesday’s practice and added that Toney is already “pushing to play” against Notre Dame.
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson offered a more encouraging read, reporting that the injury is “not serious.” Jackson also said one Miami coach is hopeful Toney will be back on the practice field Thursday.
Toney has been the engine of Miami’s passing attack outside of quarterback Darian Mensah. He’s averaging 128.4 yards per game and has scored 13 touchdowns in only eight games, building on a standout true freshman season.
His recent production has been especially eye-catching: seven touchdowns over his last three games, along with a quick trip past the 1,000-yard mark through just eight games.
If he can’t play, Miami loses its most dangerous playmaker at the worst possible time. It would also stall his momentum in what many see as a three-man Heisman race with Mensah and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
In Other News...
Miami Suddenly Has A Massive Question Before Notre Dame
Miamis buildup to Notre Dame took an unexpected turn this week when Malachi Toney went down with an ankle injury in practice and remains under evaluation for the matchup. The receiver has been a key part of the Hurricanes offense, and his status now hangs over a game that was already drawing plenty of attention because of the stakes and the spotlight on Miamis attack.
The ripple effects have already shown up beyond the injury report, with Toneys Heisman Trophy odds slipping as other contenders moved up. More importantly for the game itself, Miami may have to adjust its offensive plan if he cannot go, and that would put even more pressure on quarterback Darian Mensah to carry the load against Notre Dame. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Just Got A CFP Reality Check Before Miami
The first College Football Playoff rankings have already given Notre Dame a sharper read on where it stands, and it is not quite the same picture the AP Top 25 has painted. The committees initial release showed a clear gap between perception and playoff positioning, with the SEC stacking the board and even some teams landing higher in the CFP pecking order than they do in the weekly poll. For the Irish, the message was straightforward: style points only go so far when the rsum is still missing the kind of signature win the committee tends to reward.
Hunter Yurachek said the challenge of ranking teams gets complicated in a season like this, and Notre Dame is feeling that reality heading into Miami. The Irish remain very much in the conversation, but the early playoff math suggests they have work to do if they want to climb, especially with the committee weighing more than record and reputation. For a team trying to build momentum in November, the rankings serve as both a warning and a reminder that the biggest tests still matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Just Got A Playoff Warning Fans Cant Ignore
The first College Football Playoff rankings brought a jolt for Notre Dame, with ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit saying he was surprised the Irish landed at No. 11 behind three two-loss teams. For a program that has spent the fall trying to build a playoff case, the placement was a reminder that the committees view can shift quickly, and that every remaining game carries real weight.
Notre Dames next chance to change that picture comes against top-ranked Miami, a matchup Herbstreit pointed to as the one that could define where the Irish stand in the playoff race. A win would likely push Notre Dame into the top six or seven and strengthen its path, while the broader safety net remains clear: finish in the top 12 and the Irish earn an automatic playoff bid. [Read more 🡒]