Overview
- The Fighting Irish (6-1) used last week’s bye to correct tackling, alignment and coverage errors after their controversial loss to BYU and are practicing at Gillette Stadium ahead of Saturday’s neutral-site meeting with Navy.
- Notre Dame’s defense still must account for the ejection of sack leader Boubacar Traore for targeting in the BYU game, a loss head coach Marcus Freeman said significantly reduced the team’s playmaking ability.
- Navy (2-5) presents a unique test with a triple-option attack that ranks among the nation’s best on the ground at about 307 rushing yards per game and can control the clock and short the opposing offense’s opportunities.
- Oddsmakers and projection models peg Notre Dame as roughly a 30-point favorite with the betting market leaning to the Irish and simulation models favoring the Under near a 56.5 total.
- This matchup functions as a reset before Notre Dame’s Nov. 7 showdown with top-ranked Miami, a game analysts say would substantially affect the Irish’s path to the College Football Playoff; Notre Dame has won eight straight meetings with Navy.