Game Thread | (23) Navy at (16) Notre Dame

No. 23 Navy at No. 16 Notre Dame 

Notre Dame Stadium |2:30 p.m. ET | NBC

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Sink or Swim

The good news for Notre Dame is the Irish rebounded following the Michigan loss to the surprise of some. The bad news is Notre Dame will host 7-1 Navy and the triple-option this weekend. 

While Notre Dame fans have talked about dreading seeing the Irish face the old school offense, the Irish seem to be embracing the challenge. 

Notre Dame's defense knows it won't be easy to stop the Midshipmen and quarterback Malcolm Perry, but there wasn't a sense of being scared around The Gug as in past years (2016). 

It might not equal a win, but it's a positive sign the Irish feel it's more about them than Navy. 

Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame S Alohi Gilman
No one has more experience going against Navy's offense than Gilman. He had six solo tackles against them last season and he'll need to tackle well in this game.

Navy QB Malcolm Perry
The most dynamic player Navy has had on offense in a long time. No one can give up on a play against him because he makes tacklers miss so frequently.

Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool
The Irish are going to need the big play through the air to win this game and he's been the go-to guy for them when Ian Book throws it deep. He'll be matched up with boundary corner Cameron Kinley, who has been beaten deep in previous games.

Navy LB Jacob Springer
The best example of how Navy's defense has transformed into a unit that creates havoc. He has 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and has forced three fumbles.

Notre Dame LB Drew White
He was forced to step in when Drue Tranquill was hurt against Navy last season. Now Notre Dame needs him to play a starring role against the triple option.

Quotes of the Week

DE Ade Ogundeji: 
"We have to do our job. If all 11 guys do their job, we're going to be just fine on Saturday." 

DE Jamir Jones:
"The history goes way back and they're a great team. They use our traits and they take them into every single game. We just have to be ready to have more traits than they have." 

Head coach Brian Kelly:
"There is really good leadership not only amongst the captains, but there is real accountability amongst all of the players. That means that it shows up during the week to a standard that's been set in how they prepare.

"They know that you reap what you sew. That means if you work really hard during the week, put in the time, hold each other accountable to that end, that it's going to pay off for them.

"Where are they? They're at a high level of mental toughness in that they hold each other to a level and a standard that has allowed them to continue to work towards getting better as a football team.

"As long as they stay in that mindset, they'll be pretty good."

For Your Nerves