Miami's early quirks in 2026 schedule come to an end at Wake Forest

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Miami's early quirks in 2026 schedule come to an end at Wake Forest

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Sep 16, 2026 6:09 PM ET

The Miami Hurricanes' last weekday game to begin the 2026 season is on Friday at Wake Forest. Miami began the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4, with a 45-6 win at Stanford. Miami won its home opener on Thursday, Sept. 10, against Florida A&M.

Wake Forest enters the game against Miami after a 38-16 win over Akron in its season opener and a 38-36 double-overtime win at Purdue on Saturday. The Demon Deacons average 485.0 yards per game and should be Miami's biggest test defensively so far in 2026.

After the game at Wake Forest on Friday, Miami concludes its non-conference schedule and plays its first Saturday game of the 2026 season against Central Michigan on Sept. 26. Miami begins a four-game stretch of ACC games on Oct. 3 at Clemson.

After a bye week on Oct. 10, Miami will play seven consecutive weeks to finish the 2026 regular season. Miami hosts Florida State on Oct. 17 and Pittsburgh on October 24, before finishing the second month of the season on Oct. 31 at North Carolina.

Mark your calendars! ️

The 2026 @canesfootball schedule is here pic.twitter.com/e0wwXbHJFP
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 26, 2026

Notre Dame hosts Miami in the Hurricanes' second consecutive away game as they begin the final month of the regular season on Nov. 7. Miami concludes the 2026 regular season with home games against Duke on Nov. 14, Virginia Tech on Nov. 21 and Boston College on Nov. 28.

Miami in weekday games

Weekday games have often been a trap for Miami. The two weekday wins to start the 2026 season are encouraging, even though Miami was a significant favorite in both games. After five consecutive wins to start the 2025 season, Louisville beat Miami 24-21 on Friday, Oct. 17.

Miami's 2025 loss to Louisville was its only regular-season weekday game. Miami's last three College Football Playoff games were on weekdays. Miami had at least eight days off between each of its final three 2025 CFP Games.

Miami will be the biggest 2026 home game for Wake Forest. Wake Forest is reportedly close to selling out the game against Miami and is calling for its fans to wear black. Miami has dominated the series against Wake Forest with eight consecutive wins. Six of those wins have been in the ACC.

With the weekday games behind Miami after Friday, head coach Mario Cristobal can get the Hurricanes into a more consistent schedule. Returning home for Central Michigan should help Miami get into a routine. Cristobal frequently emphasizes the importance of routine and preparing for games the same way, even when circumstances change.

Alan Rubenstein

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