Prediction, Game Preview, and Odds for Notre Dame vs. Navy

Things got a lot tougher for Notre Dame all of a sudden.

The game against Army in a few weeks will be tough, and there is still the date at USC. Virginia and Florida State are at least well-known ACC games.

But playing the Navy, which has not lost yet, will be a fun test before the November finishing kick.

The Midshipmen beat Memphis and stomped out everyone else to get to 6-0. Every win has been by 12 points or more, but now comes the tough part.

Their last six games have only been at home once. If they can beat Notre Dame, they should be able to beat everyone else.

Notre Dame vs Navy Preview

Notre Dame vs Navy How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
How to Watch: ABC
Notre Dame (6-1), Navy (6-0)

Why Navy Will Win

This is not the same team that the Irish beat 42–3 in Dublin to start the season last year.

It looks like this team has everything that it needs to work well. Averaging 275 yards per game, the running game is strong, the passing attack hits deep passes, the defense holds strong, and there are no turnovers.

It is clear that quarterback Blake Horvath is in charge of the attack, but there is also a lot of power behind it. To keep the Notre Dame offense off the field, the ground attack needs to be great.

The Irish lost to Northern Illinois. How did that happen? It let the other team run for 190 yards, which was the most of the season, and never got control of the game. But…

Why Notre Dame Will Win

Everyone but NIU has had a hard time getting past the Irish defense.

Only three touchdowns have been scored against it this year, and teams are only giving up 3.29 yards per carry. There is one important piece of the Navy puzzle that does not quite fit.

It does not control the battle for time of possession.

Memphis ran for 274 yards and four touchdowns, but Navy has not played anyone yet that can line up and blast away. It works for Notre Dame: run, run a lot, and win.

Navy has had the ball 38 times or more against all other teams except Temple. The Irish will be in charge here if they can get that many carries.

Notre Dame vs Navy: Who Will Win

It is Navy, and they have a knuckleball offense that they want to hit. Notre Dame needs to be ready for everything this offense does right.

So Notre Dame will keep pounding away to counter that. After all the Irish fans freak out over a rough first half, things will start to open up in the second. When it is time, the skill and strength will step in.