ISD Game Predictions: Navy
It’s Friday again, and that means game prediction time. The 7-0 Irish look to remain unbeaten as they face 2-5 Navy. This game rarely goes the way most ND fans anticipate, but is this a Navy team the Irish can finally put away early?
Mike Frank
This is never a fun game to watch. It’s just one we have to endure until it’s over. I expect a half of frustration. I don’t expect the Irish to be behind at half time, but my guess is the score will be closer than we’d like.
I expect the defense to struggle the first two series to get caught up to the speed of the option, but then to settle in and start shutting down the Midshipmen offense.
Notre Dame’s offense starts a bit sluggish as they try to establish a ground game, but then find they some rhythm and pull away early in the second half.
Notre Dame: 39 Navy: 17
Jamie Uyeyama
Navy has not been better than their record indicates on offfense. They have an overmatched defense, though, whose only chance at stopping teams has been to create turnovers.
I don't think Notre Dame is going to turn the ball over in this game after doing so twice against Pitt. This game is going to look similar to the Wake Forest game for the Irish offense. There will be points and then points and then some more points.
If Navy had a Keegan Reynolds at quarterback, then this game would be a lot more interesting. Unfortunately for them, they don't. They'll need to play perfect on offense to stay in this game and they have come close this year to doing so with some struggles on 3rd down and some mistakes with execution.
Make it five losses in a row for the Midshipmen and eight wins in a row for the Irish in 2018.
Notre Dame: 56 Navy: 21
Matt Freeman
Back to Cali! The environment is better than expected as Notre Dame and Navy fans provide an excellent atmosphere for this neutral site matchup. The Navy offense isn’t quite efficient enough on this day as Notre Dame forces three turnovers, including a scoop and score by Daelin Hayes.
Ian Book has another efficient day as he completed 24-of-27 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. Dexter Williams adds another 147 yards on the ground and the Irish roll.
Notre Dame: 41 Navy: 16
Christian McCollum
The Irish handle the Midshipmen in a relatively boring contest for most except those with an added interest in Las Vegas.
Ian Book’s consistency keeps the chains moving for Notre Dame and helps the Irish maximize their possessions, something that has caused them problems against Navy in the past. The Irish running game also exerts its will against the Midshipmen, taking away any of confidence they had in pulling off the upset.
On the other side of the ball, it’s obvious the bye week helped in Notre Dame’s preparation for the triple-option, limiting Navy’s offensive attack.
Notre Dame doesn’t cover the 22-point spread, but gets the win comfortably m.
Notre Dame: 31 Navy: 10