No. 10 Notre Dame hosts Navy for a Week 11 matchup on Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in South Bend, Indiana.
The Fighting Irish are listed as 26.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 55.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for this matchup between these two non-conference opponents.
Navy vs. Notre Dame prediction, preview
Navy Preview
The Midshipmen are having a great season once again under Brian Newberry. In his second year at the helm, Newberry won ten games, including the Armed Forces Bowl. He has put together another wonderful season as Navy sits atop the American Conference with a 7-1 record. Even if they lose this game to Notre Dame, Navy has a real shot to make the American Conference title game, which means there is a chance that Navy makes the College Football Playoff if it can win out the rest of the way. If the Midshipmen find a way to beat Notre Dame, they will instantly become the favorite to get the Group of Five College Football Playoff spot. Blake Horvath is a veteran quarterback who can orchestrate this Navy offense to perfection. It has been the defense that has struggled for Navy so far this season.
Notre Dame Preview
Notre Dame lost its first two games of the season against Miami and Texas A&M. The Texas A&M loss has aged well, as the Aggies are one of the best teams in the country. However, the Miami loss is aging poorly, as the Hurricanes’ season goes down the tubes. Notre Dame has done well to win the rest of its games since the opening two weeks. However, the Fighting Irish will need things to break their way to get into the College Football Playoff. The lack of quality opponents down the stretch and no conference title game means that Notre Dame will need its two-loss resume to be better than a group of P4 teams also likely to end the season with two losses. This offense is electric with CJ Carr at quarterback and the best running back in the nation, Jeremiyah Love. However, the defense has issues, and the Fighting Irish have just one quality win, over USC at home.
Navy vs. Notre Dame pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is for Notre Dame to go over its team total of 41.5 points. Notre Dame ranks 20th in the nation in offensive EPA/play and can attack on the ground or through the air. Meanwhile, Navy ranks 126th in the nation in defensive EPA/pass and 90th in defensive success rate. Navy has given up 31 or more points in each of its past four games. This Notre Dame offense will be the most dangerous unit they have faced so far this season. Notre Dame also needs style points. The Fighting Irish could be competing with several other two-loss teams for a College Football Playoff berth at the end of the season. The difference between beating teams like Navy handily and making it somewhat close could be what decides whether or not Notre Dame makes the postseason. Navy might get a couple of scores on the board with its unique offense, but the best bet in this game is that the Irish will hang a huge number.
