By Garin Turner
A storied rivalry takes center stage Saturday night as the No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish welcome the Navy Midshipmen to South Bend. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, with playoff implications on the line for Notre Dame and pride on the line for Navy.
Recent Performances
Notre Dame continued its midseason surge last week with a 25-10 win over Boston College, extending its winning streak to six games. Freshman quarterback CJ Carr threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jeremiyah Love powered the offense with 136 yards and two scores on 17 carries.
Navy, meanwhile, suffered its first loss of the season, falling 31-17 to North Texas. Quarterback Blake Horvath threw two interceptions but led the Midshipmen on the ground with 112 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Running back Brandon Chatman added 67 yards and a score as Navy racked up 311 rushing yards in defeat.
What’s at Stake
Notre Dame (6-2) has rebounded impressively since its 0-2 start and now controls its own destiny in the College Football Playoff race. If the Irish win out, they’ll remain in the thick of contention for a semifinal berth.
For Navy (5-1), this matchup is a chance to make a national statement and potentially re-enter the rankings with a win over a top-10 opponent.
Series History
This will be the 96th meeting between Notre Dame and Navy — one of college football’s longest-running rivalries. The Fighting Irish lead the all-time series 81-13-1 and once held a 43-game winning streak from 1964 to 2006. Navy’s last victory came in 2016, a 28-27 win in Jacksonville, Florida.
Key Storylines
Saturday’s matchup will feature a classic contrast of styles: Notre Dame’s balanced, efficient attack versus Navy’s relentless ground game.
The Irish defense will need to stay disciplined against Navy’s triple-option looks and limit long, clock-draining drives. Conversely, the Midshipmen must find ways to pressure Carr and prevent Notre Dame’s offense from finding its rhythm early.
Expect a physical battle in the trenches, with both teams emphasizing time of possession and field position.
Team Leaders
Notre Dame
• Passing: CJ Carr – 2,057 yards, 16 TD, 4 INT
• Rushing: Jeremiyah Love – 141 carries, 894 yards, 11 TD
• Receiving: Jordan Faison – 39 receptions, 518 yards, 2 TD
Navy
• Passing: Blake Horvath – 1,143 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT
• Rushing: Blake Horvath – 138 carries, 926 yards, 13 TD
• Receiving: Eli Heidenreich – 31 receptions, 575 yards, 4 TD
Prediction
Navy’s ground game will test Notre Dame’s defensive front, but the Irish’s balance and red-zone execution should prove too much to overcome under the South Bend lights.
Final Score: Notre Dame 35, Navy 21.
