GAME THREAD | No. 20 Notre Dame at Navy

No. 20 Notre Dame (6-3) at Navy (3-6) 

M&T Bank Stadium | 12:00 p.m. ET | ABC | Notre Dame -17.0 | O/U: 40.5

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GET IN, GET OUT 

It’s Navy week, which means anything and everything can happen. Notre Dame has handled the Mids as of late, but it’s still a game where the Irish will have to do much more than show up. 

Yet, this game isn’t about Navy. It’s about Notre Dame being disciplined and showing growth to be able to play consistent football after a big win. The triple-option is frustrating to defend, but Marcus Freeman is familiar with it, so it won’t catch him off guard. 

Offensively, it will be interesting to see what Tommy Rees does as Navy has one of the worst passing defenses in the country, but the Irish have a struggling quarterback. It could be a great opportunity to build Drew Pyne’s confidence heading into the final two weeks of the season but that’s only after Notre Dame establishes the run game. 

All in all, you better get the drinks and food in early as this one could set records when it comes to being a quick game. 

Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame RB Audric Estime
Navy has been very good against the run, but they haven't had to play against a group as big as Notre Dame's offensive line and tight ends or have to tackle someone like Estime. The big back will be trying to put up a third straight game of 100-yards or more.

Navy QB Xavier Arline
Navy's backup QB has been elevated to a starting role due to injury. He's a more dynamic runner and had a couple of big runs against Cincinnati last week. 

Notre Dame LB JD Bertrand
Bertrand has been fantastic the last few weeks and the Irish will need him to be again against Navy's triple option. We should expect to see big tackle numbers from him this week and for him to add to his tackle for loss total.

Navy LB John Marshall
Marshall has already contributed 20 havoc plays on the season and he's constantly in attack mode as a blitzer. If Navy has any hope in pulling off an upset, Marshall will have to have a huge game.

Notre Dame WR Jayden Thomas
Thomas has been the best all-around receiver for Notre Dame this season with this blocking and his contributions in the passing game with limited targets. Navy's pass defense is putrid and this might be a game for Thomas to get some glory in addition to the dirty work he's been doing with the running game.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
"Continuing to grow. That's something you hear me say often. It's growth and it's enhancement. If we do the same thing we did last year or the same thing I did in 2018 when we played Navy really well, then at some point, they'll pass you by because these coaches every year find ways to enhance their offensive scheme. That's what we have to do defensively." 

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden:
"Experience is important here. Anything, where they have a built-up blueprint of what they need to do versus certain blocks versus certain schemes, is definitely paramount going against these guys. So, I think the biggest thing for our guys is assignment football when you play a team like this, just to be disciplined. And the more guys that you can have that have experience and play with poise and can communicate, the better off you'll be."

Notre Dame S DJ Brown:
“It’s all about eye discipline,” stated Brown. “Just doing your job. As long as you’re locked in on your job, you’ll be able to read the pass. You know Navy’s run-first, but the way they catch their opponents off-guard is just by passing the ball.” 

Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason:
“Coach Freeman allows us on special teams to use some of our frontline players. We have some really good defensive players that are on the punt block team. They’re bought in and you start to have some success and it just kind of builds on it. They're excited to have more success, and we've just got to keep pushing to find ways to get better.”

For Your Nerves 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 7' Inflatable Santa