The Miami Hurricanes are set to continue their undefeated season as they host the Louisville Cardinals on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET. The highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Currently, the Hurricanes boast a perfect record of 5-0, while the Cardinals are 4-1, both teams looking to solidify their standings as the season approaches the midway point.
In their recent history, Miami and Louisville have faced off twice in the past two seasons, splitting the series with one victory apiece. Both contests have seen the teams collectively cover the betting spread, with the total points scored also rising above expectations.
The Hurricanes and Cardinals have proved to be evenly matched on the scoreboard, with Miami recording 83 total points against Louisville’s offensive output across these games.
Examining the Hurricanes’ 2025 season, they have performed admirably, facing a challenging schedule including notable victories against teams like Notre Dame and Florida. Miami’s performance has not only secured wins but also showcased their ability to dominate on both offense and defense.
Their offense is currently ranked 41st in the nation, averaging 425 yards per game, while the defense shines even brighter by holding opponents to only 276.4 yards per game, which is the 16th-best in the country. This dual-threat capability is a testament to the Hurricanes’ balanced approach this season.
Particularly impressive has been the Hurricanes’ passing game, tallying 264.2 yards per game, which places them 39th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). On the defensive side, Miami ranks 35th, limiting opponents to 189 yards per game through the air.
Shows of prowess on defense continue as Miami ranks in the top tier of teams, allowing just 13.6 points per game, signifying their ability to stifle scoring opportunities. Offensively, they are also holding their own, averaging 35 points per game, which puts them at 35th in the FBS.
Although their rushing game stands at a mere 62nd nationally with an average of 160.8 rushing yards per game, Miami’s defense has been formidable against the run. They rank 13th in the nation allowing only 87.4 rushing yards per game.
Third-down efficiency has also been a bright spot for Miami, ranking 11th in defense with an impressive rate of allowing only 27.9% of third downs to be converted against them. Offensively, the Hurricanes are converting third downs at a rate of 47.5%, placing them 26th in the FBS.
Miami has excelled in turnovers this season, boasting the eighth-best margin in college football with a +6 ratio. They’ve managed to force nine turnovers while only committing three, solidifying their position as an opportunistic team.
Key players for the Hurricanes include quarterback Carson Beck, who has thrown for 1,213 yards with an impressive completion percentage of 72.9%, along with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Beck has also contributed on the ground, adding one rushing touchdown to his tally.
Running back Mark Fletcher has been a linchpin for the offense, accumulating 428 rushing yards and finding the end zone five times, while averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry. Another contributor to the backfield is CharMar Brown, who has rushed for 210 yards and four touchdowns.
In the receiving corps, CJ Daniels has made his mark with 23 receptions for 269 yards, contributing five touchdowns to the team’s offense. Defensively, standout players include Jakobe Thomas who has 17 tackles and is a threat with his playmaking ability, along with Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., both showing prowess in tackling and sack production.
On the other side of the field, the Louisville Cardinals bring a well-rounded but slightly less dominant season into this matchup. The Cardinals have distinguished themselves with a robust defensive unit that ranks 12th in the nation, allowing only 262 total yards per game. However, their offensive performance has been less consistent, currently sitting at 62nd with 404 total yards per game.
Louisville’s defense has shone particularly in the passing game, ranking 8th for passing yards allowed per game at just 150.4 yards, allowing only 21 points per game, which ranks them further down the list at 47th.
Offensively, the Cardinals have found success predominantly in the air, generating an average of 289 passing yards per game, pinning them at 22nd in the FBS, while their rushing game has suffered, ranking 23rd-worst with only 115 rushing yards per game.
Looking at third-down conversions, Louisville’s defense is performing well again, restricting opponents to a conversion rate of 30.9% and ranking them 25th in the nation in this category. Their offense has also shown improvement, ranking 37th with a 44.3% conversion rate.
In terms of turnovers, the Cardinals have a +1 margin this season, placing them middle of the pack in the FBS.
Leading the charge for Louisville is quarterback Miller Moss, who has compiled 1,358 passing yards with a completion percentage of 67%. Moss has recorded 7 touchdowns against 4 interceptions this season.
Chris Bell has been a standout receiver, with 35 catches for 502 yards and four touchdown receptions, while running back Isaac Brown has made significant contributions with 334 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The intensity is expected to be high as both teams go head-to-head, vying for crucial standing points. The Miami Hurricanes, looking to maintain their unblemished record, will need to showcase their stifling defense while the Louisville Cardinals aim to capitalize on any offensive opportunities presented during this key matchup.
As game day approaches, fans can anticipate a thrilling contest under the lights, where both teams will be eager to push their respective narratives forward in one of the college football season’s highlight moments.
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