No. 12 Notre Dame (6-1) vs. No. 24 Navy (6-0) at East Rutherford, New Jersey, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ABC)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Notre Dame by 12 1/2.
Series record: Notre Dame leads 82-13-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Notre Dame comes into the most recent version of the longtime rivalry with the higher ranking but, unusually, one more loss than the Midshipmen. The Fighting Irish realize another loss, even to a ranked opponent, could derail their playoff hopes before November. Navy is trying to snap a six-game losing streak in the series and celebrate its first 7-0 start since 1978. And a win, perhaps, could get the Midshipmen into the playoff discussion.
KEY MATCHUP
Navy ground game vs. Notre Dame defensive line. The Fighting Irish have been winning largely on the strength of a defense that had three preseason All-Americans. But injuries have decimated the Irish, who have lost two playmaking defensive ends to season-ending injuries. Navy’s surprising start has been built primarily on a ground game that averages 274.8 yards. Whoever wins this battle likely wins the game. As always, turnovers can be a factor.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Navy: QB Blake Horvath. Though the Midshipmen rely on a run-heavy system, the junior has given Navy a different look. He threw for three TDs in last week’s victory over Charlotte and is Navy’s second-leading rusher. What else? Horvath and Jalen Milroe of Alabama are the only FBS quarterbacks who have at least 10 TD passes and 10 TD runs.
Notre Dame: DT Howard Cross III. If this name sounds familiar to New Jersey fans, it should. Cross’ father earned a Super Bowl 25 ring with the New York Giants as a tight end. But the younger Cross has cut his own path. As one of the best run defenders in the FBS, the preseason All-American’s skill will face a stiff challenge Saturday.
FACTS & FIGURES
These schools met every season from 1927 until the COVID-19 pandemic cancellation in 2020. Notre Dame won 43 straight from 1963-2006. … Navy is 2-0 against all-time at MetLife Stadium. It beat the Irish there in 2010 and Army there in 2021. … Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard ranks second among all active FBS quarterbacks with 29 TD runs. He has 10 this season. … The bowl-eligible Midshipmen enter this weekend as one of 10 remaining unbeaten FBS teams and one of three FBS teams that has won every game this season by at least 10 points (Army, Indiana). … Notre Dame’s defense allows 11.9 points per game (fifth in FBS) and ranks in the top 15 in seven other defensive categories. … Navy has four all-time wins against Notre Dame when the Irish are ranked — 2009, 1957, 1944 and 1936. … Navy is tied with Kansas for the best red zone offense in the country.
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