Miami’s highly anticipated showdown against Notre Dame on Saturday night had another layer added to the storylines on Wednesday, as the health of Heisman Trophy contender Malachi Toney will now linger over the next month.
The No. 1 Hurricanes were already underdogs heading into the matchup in South Bend, but now head coach Mario Cristobal will be without his top playmaker on offense besides quarterback Darian Mensah.
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During practice on Wednesday, Malachi Toney suffered an injury to his ankle that forced the wide receiver to leave practice and head straight to a local facility to be evaluated for what could be a massive hit to the Hurricanes’ national title hopes.
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While there was some optimism earlier in the afternoon that this could end up being an injury that doesn’t keep Toney off the field on Saturday night, there was obviously growing concern later on in the day that this could potentially keep Malachi off the field for an extended period of time.
“Malachi Toney sustained an injury during Wednesday’s practice and is currently undergoing further evaluation by the team’s medical staff,” Miami said in a statement earlier on Wednesday. “We will share additional updates as appropriate.”
Now, the star wide receiver will undergo surgery on his ankle, after an MRI and X-ray were done on Wednesday evening, as CBS Sports first reported.
Toney suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to sources, and will undergo the infamous “TightRope” surgery that Miami is hoping will have the star wide receiver return for the College Football Playoff in four to six weeks.
But, this is obviously a “hopeful” mindset by Miami football officials.
Miami (FL) Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) scores as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Derek McDonald (15) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Multiple gambling establishments had already bumped Notre Dame from 5-point favorites to 6.5-point favorites by Wednesday evening.
All eyes on Miami, as Heisman Trophy candidate could play major factor in CFP rankings
The health of Malachi Toney will be one of the most talked about subjects over the next month, given the initial CFP rankings that were released on Tuesday night.
Following the win last weekend against North Carolina, the Miami wide receiver has now accounted for 1,027 yards receiving, with 13 touchdowns on 73 receptions.
What does this Hurricanes offense look like without its star wide receiver? We’re about to find out, given the unfortunate news that he will be undergoing surgery.
Just like any other player at this time, Toney was dealing with the type on bumps and bruises you would expect eight games into the season.
Darian Mensah, No. 10, of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes passes the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Sept. 4, 2026. (Getty Images)
If the Hurricanes were to lose on Saturday night without Malachi on the field, the subsequent three weeks would be interesting to watch unfold from a rankings standpoint.
We’ve already seen Ohio State be punished for not having Julian Sayin at quarterback, coming off the loss to USC.
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What would the committee have to say when it comes to Miami not having a Heisman Trophy candidate on the field if the injury were to keep Toney out for at least a few weeks?
These are all questions that will be answered one way or another in the coming weeks.
Notre Dame faces what could be a must-win game in the CFP committee’s eyes
On the other side, this is setting up to be a pivotal game for Notre Dame after being ranked 11th in the first CFP poll of 2026.
There is no sugarcoating the fact that the Fighting Irish do not have a signature win this season, and their strength of schedule leaves much to be desired. BYU is the only ranked team they have played that appears in the College Football Playoff top 25.
“But when you look at Notre Dame’s schedule and the wins that they have, vs. the teams that are ahead of them, they don’t have that signature win right now. They lost in their only Top-25 matchup at BYU. The next best win as on a neutral site against Wisconsin,” CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek noted.
“They’ve a great opportunity in front of them this weekend at home vs. Miami to get that signature win that I think they need to move up in the rankings. But the committee is very impressed by them. They wouldn’t be 11th if we were not.”
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Nolan James Jr. No. 2, Brandon Logan No. 25 and Ebenezer Ewetade No. 14 sing the Alma Mater with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman during a game against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Sept. 26, 2026. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Following the game against No. 1 Miami, the remaining schedule for Notre Dame will see them play Boston College, SMU and Syracuse, with the Mustangs currently having the only winning record out of the three.
Just when you thought Notre Dame’s college football playoff standings would be the main storyline heading into Saturday’s showdown, we are now paying attention to see how Miami responds without its Heisman Trophy candidate.
