Miami, Notre Dame set for CFP showdown

Miami coach Mario Cristobal praised Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard’s development, accuracy and command of the offense as the teams prepared for a high-profile matchup. Despite the rivalry’s history of inflammatory trash talk, Cristobal and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman have kept their public comments restrained, focusing on preparation and the play on the field rather than predictions or bulletin-board material. Freeman has said he picked Miami in a televised playoff prediction partly to avoid giving the Hurricanes extra motivation.