A College Football Playoff spot may be on the line in this huge showdown between top-10 teams

Catholics vs. Convicts was one of the most famous college football games of all time. Thirty years later these teams will meet again in what will be a season-defining game for both of them.

The No 7 Miami Hurricanes come in undefeated, knowing a win over the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish could put them firmly in the race for a College Football Playoff spot. These two will square off at Hard Rock Stadium at 8 p.m. ET on ABC (live stream).

Notre Dame is having its best season in years and is in position to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in the school history. Notre Dame has the 13th-best offense in the nation, a lot of which is due to its spectacular running back Josh Adams.

Adams is a Heisman hopeful who leads Notre Dame’s vaunted rushing attack. He has accounted for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground and currently has the fifth-best odds to win the Heisman, according to our own Jason Kirk. Even with Adams out early against Wake Forest last week, the Irish ran for 380 yards and four touchdowns. If the Irish can run successfully and control the clock, they’ll have a great chance of leaving Miami with a win.

Miami’s Malik Rosier is one of the most important freshman quarterbacks in the entire country. He leads the ACC’s sixth-ranked offense. Rosier is second in the ACC with 19 touchdowns through the air along with three rushing. Rosier will have to work on his consistency as he’s prone to long cold stretches where he’s ineffective.

Miami’s true strength is its defense, which allows only 17.6 points per game. Miami’s pass defense is the No. 1 unit in the ACC, with opposing quarterbacks combining for just 1,581 yards. Notre Dame will have to work hard to move the ball through the air on Miami. The Irish will look to attack the Hurricanes’ rush defense, which allows 170 yards per game. How Miami responds to the rush will be the matchup that defines this game.

Time, TV Channel, and streaming info:

• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
• TV: ABC
• Stream: WatchESPN.com
• Odds: Miami is favored by 1.5 points

Notre Dame vs. Miami news:

• Miami’s biggest weakness (run defense) is Notre Dame’s biggest strength (Josh Adams):

The matchups are tricky, though. If Miami can hem in this ground attack, then sure, the Canes will likely win. It's that simple. The Canes should create enough chances for their own explosive back (Travis Homer, who rushed for 170 yards against Georgia Tech and 95 against Virginia Tech in the injured Mark Walton's absence), and their passing game should produce just enough big plays to get the score into the 20s or low-30s.

• Notre Dame’s line will need to clear the paths for Adams:

The Irish have rushed for at least 200 yards in seven of 9 games and have run for at least 180 in eight of nine. Just Georgia was able to completely shut down the running game, allowing just 55 yards to the Irish. Otherwise, Notre Dame’s offensive line, led by All-Americans Quenton “Destroyer of Worlds” Nelson and Mike McGlinchey, have been absolutely wrecking opposing defenses, opening up truck-sized running lanes for Josh Adams to run through on his way to 1,191 yards (8.7 per carry) and nine TDs on the season.

• Miami has the best skill players that Notre Dame has seen since its loss to Georgia:

Berrios is a great slot receiver who is finally being used appropriately. He is a technician in his routes and has great hands.

Langham is an interesting player. He's got great size at 6'4" 220 lbs, and obviously made game-winning catches against FSU and Georgia Tech in consecutive weeks. But apart from that, he's been pretty quiet this season.

Freshman speedster Jeff Thomas has really come into his own recently. He's an electric athlete with speed to burn

The biggest weapon for Miami in the passing game is Tight End Christopher Herndon IV. Finally out of David Njoku's shadow, the senior from Norcross, GA is proving to be an all-around threat for Miami as a blocker but moreso as a receiver.

• The Canes will have to beat Notre Dame in the trenches:

As much love as the ‘Turnover Chain’ receives, Miami’s front-seven defenders have continued to make a name for themselves by causing chaos in opposing backfields. In the last three games, the Hurricanes have 11 sacks, as well as accounting for 27 tackles for loss. Miami’s first and second levels of defense will be tasked with limiting the Irish on the ground.

The Canes have to keep Brandon Wimbush in the pocket

The Irish’s starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush is a dangerous runner outside the pocket. Wimbush has rushed for 727 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per game. Wimbush has thrown for 1,286 yards and 11 touchdowns, with the focus that Adams will draw from the Miami defense and has to be at his best to beat Miami. The Canes’ defensive line has been great all year and will look to pressure, harass, and sack Wimbush all game long.

Notre Dame vs. Miami prediction:

Neither team can afford to lose this game as the loser will almost certainly say goodbye to any chance of getting into the College Football Playoff. Miami has been pulling out close wins all season and is ready to defend its home stadium. Notre Dame on the other hand has blown out most of their opponents this year. Miami has won close all season, and I think that experience will help push the Canes over the edge in this game vs. Notre Dame.