College GameDay crew splits picks for Miami-Notre Dame. Who each picked and why
The College GameDay crew had mixed opinions on who will win Sunday night’s game between the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes and No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The five-man panel of Des Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit were split on the matchup, set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, when making their picks for games of the week live from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, the site of the No. 1 Texas Longhorns vs the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes.
Howard and Corso, the latter on the show for the final time after being with the show since its inception in 1987, picked Miami while Saban, McAfee and Herbstreit chose Notre Dame.
Here is what each said with his selection:
Des Howard: “I was at a couple Miami practices and I’ve watched [quarterback] Carson Beck. He looks fine. He has some really good receivers. I’m going with Miami in a close one over Notre Dame.”
Nick Saban: “I like Notre Dame on this one. I just think that their roster has enough depth. I know they have a new quarterback, but he’s a very talented guy, CJ, Carr, and I just think Notre Dame is going to be one of the top four teams in the country this year.”
Pat McAfee: “CJ Carr, the legendary Lloyd Carr’s grandson. They’ve been talking about him being Notre Dame’s quarterback for a long time. He’s supposed to be a stud. I’m excited to watch him. I think they’re running the ball though. I think their run game of Jeremiyah Love all night down there in Miami is what gets them the dub.”
Lee Corso: “Miami upsets the Irish. Orange out. I don’t ever bet against the Irish ... except today.”
Kirk Herbstreit: “I called this game a few years ago. Notre Dame went down to Miami [in 2017] and it was ugly. Notre Dame got embarrassed. This time around, they lose [defensive coordinator] Al Golden. They hired Chris Ash, which to me is a great hire as a defensive coordinator, and I’m all in on CJ Carr. I think Notre Dame, tough game, but I think the Irish get it done.”
This story was originally published August 30, 2025 at 12:09 PM.
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