Here is my Notre Dame - Navy Preview.

[letsgond]

Notre Dame QB's: Brandon Wimbush had an off night where he did not do as well in the previous game. On the season he has completed 113 of 221 attempts for 1,405 yards with a completion rate of 51.1 percent, 12 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. On the ground, he had 112 attempts for 663 yards with 13 touchdowns and an average of 5.9 yards per rush. Ian Book played a little bit in the previous game in hopes of getting things going with the offense, but was ineffective instead. On the season, he has completed 31 of 55 attempts for 280 yards with a completion rate of 56.4 percent, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. On the ground, Book has 24 carries for 160 yards with 6.6 yards per rush.


Notre Dame RB's: Josh Adams was unable to do much on the ground in the previous game, but still has a great chance of setting the school record for single season rushing yards. Adams has 153 attempts for 1,231 yards with an average of 8.1 yards per rush and 9 touchdowns. He also has 10 catches for 82 yards with an 8.2 yard average. Dexter Williams has missed some time this season, but has made a good impact when he has played with 34 carries for 303 yards with 4 touchdowns and an 8.9 yard average. He also has 1 catch for 8 yards with an 8 yard average and 1 touchdown. Tony Jones Jr. has 39 carries for 210 yards with a 5.4 yard average and 3 touchdowns. Deon McIntosh has 65 attempts for 368 yards with 5 touchdowns and a 6.7 yard average.


Notre Dame WR's and TE's: Chase Claypool leads the Irish in receiving yards by a small amount with 26 receptions for 363 yards and 2 touchdowns with a 14 yard average. Equanimeous St. Brown has 26 catches for 357 yards with 13.7 yards per catch and 3 touchdowns. Tight End Durham Smythe has 13 catches for 234 yards with an 18 yard average and 1 touchdown. Alize Mack returned from injury and has 19 catches for 166 yards with an 8.7 yard average and 1 touchdown. Kevin Stepherson has 11 receptions for 144 yards with a 13.1 yard average and 2 touchdowns. Stepherson also has 4 carries for 66 yards with a 16.5 yard average per rush. Miles Boykin has 6 catches for 98 yards with a 16.3 yard average and 1 touchdown, while Chris Finke has 5 receptions for 84 yards with a 16.8 yard average. Cameron Smith has 8 catches for 60 yards with 1 touchdown and a 7.5 yard average. Nic Weishar has 6 receptions for 37 yards with a 6.2 yard average and 2 touchdowns.


Notre Dame OL: Notre Dame didn't do as well running the ball in the previous game but is still 6th in the nation in rushing yards with 303.2 yards per game with an average of 6.7 yards per rush and 34 touchdowns. In terms of protection overall they have allowed 58 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, and 41 quarterback hurries.

 

[letsgond]

Notre Dame DL: Jerry Tillery leads in tackles with 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Daelin Hayes has 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 4 quarterback hurries, and 2 fumble recoveries. Jay Hayes has 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 4 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 safety. Andrew Trumbetti has 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 5 quarterback hurries. Jonathan Bonner has 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 4 quarterback hurries. Julian Okwara has 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 7 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Khalid Kareem has 14 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 5 quarterback hurries, and 1 fumble recovery. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa has 8 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Kurt Hinish has 5 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry.


Notre Dame LB's: Te'von Coney continues to play at a very high level and made quite a few plays in the previous game. Coney leads the team in tackles with 83 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 forced fumble. Nyles Morgan has 71 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Drue Tranquill has 62 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, 2 quarterback hurries, 3 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Greer Martini has 53 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. Asmar Bilal has 14 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, while Jonathan Jones has 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup.


Notre Dame DB's: Julian Love has been impressive this season when it comes to defending the pass with 41 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), and 14 pass breakups. Nick Coleman 35 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 pass breakups, and 2 quarterback hurries. Jalen Elliott has 30 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and 1 quarterback hurry. Nick Watkins has 26 tackles, 1 interception, 7 pass breakups, and 1 quarterback hurry. Shaun Crawford has 24 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Devin Studstill has 15 tackles and 1 quarterback hurry. Troy Pride Jr. has 14 tackles and 1 pass breakup, while Jordan Genmark-Heath has 10 tackles.


Notre Dame Special Teams: Justin Yoon has made 9 field goals on 13 attempts with a long of 46 yards and is 69.2 percent on field goals. Tyler Newsome has 51 punts for an average of 43.7 yards with a long of 59, 4 touchbacks, 16 fair caught, 16 inside the 20, 16 of 50 or more yards, and 1 blocked. Justin Yoon does kickoffs as well with 50 kickoffs with an average of 62.5 yards with 15 touchbacks and 2 out of bounds. C.J. Sanders has returned 23 kickoffs for 539 yards with an average of 23.4 yards and a long of 52 yards. Chris Finke has returned 21 punts for 100 yards with a long of 23 yards and an average of 4.8 yards.


Notre Dame Run Offense vs. Navy Run Defense: Notre Dame did not do well running the ball in the previous game. The 6th ranked rush offense in the nation still managed to have over 100 yards rushing, but it was not to amount that was expected. On the season they average 303.2 yards per game with 34 touchdowns and 6.7 yards per rush. Everyone in the backfield should be at full strength after this being an area that has had some injuries for half the season. They face a Navy run defense that is 64th in the nation with 165.8 yards per game allowed along with opponents averaging 4.7 yards per rush and 13 touchdowns. Navy has allowed three teams to rush for 200 or more yards, and have allowed 100 or more yards in seven of nine games. The Notre Dame running game is among the best that Navy will face this season, and with the Irish back at full strength should be able to run better after the previous game.


Edge: Notre Dame


Notre Dame Pass Offense vs. Navy Pass Defense: Even though the Irish are 109th in the nation in terms of passing yards per game, there has been improvement at times. The 109th ranked pass offense averages 168.5 yards per game with a completion rate of 52 percent, 14 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. They face a Navy pass defense that has struggled against the pass allowing 244.3 yards per game with opponents completing 62.5 percent of their passes, 20 passing touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. The Midshipmen have allowed seven of nine teams to pass for 200 or more yards, with many coming close to 300 yards (one team did pass for 381 yards on Navy). Navy can get into the backfield with 44 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and just 8 quarterback hurries. With Navy being very unimpressive against the pass along not being able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Irish should have one of the best games yet in terms of passing the ball.


Edge :Notre Dame


Navy Run Offense vs. Notre Dame Run Defense: Running the ball is the biggest strength of the Midshipmen as they are 1st in the nation averaging 369.8 yards per game with 5.9 yards per rush and 31 rushing touchdowns. They have been held to under 300 yards rushing in three of nine games, and still had impressive numbers in two of three. Only one team really shut them down on the ground when they had just 136 yards and zero touchdowns. However, there is a situation with the teams top two rushers. The quarterback situation is unknown as it has been said the starter is a game time decision as Zach Abey missed the last game with injury and might not be ready to go. Abey has 233 carries for 1,202 yards with a 5.2 yard average and 13 touchdowns. Malcolm Perry, a running back, started in his place, but is questionable due to injury and likely won't play. Perry has 77 attempts for 736 yards with a 9.6 yard average and 7 touchdowns. Perry also is important at catching the ball with 10 catches for 267 yards with 26.7 yards per catch and 2 touchdowns. The next leading rusher, Chris High has 111 carries for 478 yards with 2 touchdowns and a 4.3 yard average. Anthony Gargiulo has 35 attempts for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns and a 6.4 yard average, while Darryl Bonner has 26 carries for 143 yards with an average of 5.5 yard average and 1 touchdown. Bonner also has 7 receptions for 182 yards with a 26 yard average and 1 touchdown. Josh Brown has 11 attempts for 139 yards with a 12.6 yard average and 2 touchdowns. The Irish are 39th in the nation against the run allowing 140.9 yards per game with opponents averaging 4 yards per rush and 7 touchdowns. While the Irish might not be able to hold Navy below the average that they allow, they might have a bigger advantage if Zach Abey and Malcolm Perry are out with injury.


Edge: Even


Navy Pass Offense vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense: Navy does not pass the ball very much and are ranked 128th in pass offense averaging 98.7 yards per game with a completion rate of 42.2 percent with 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Zach Abey has most of the passing stats with 25 completions on 60 attempts with a completion rate of 41.7 percent, 6 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. If Abey is indeed out for the game then Garret Lewis will start. Garret Lewis has completed 9 passes on 18 attempts for 166 yards with a completion rate of 50 percent, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Lewis has not done much in terms of running the ball with 16 attempts for 46 yards and a 2.9 yard average. The big target in the passing game is Tyler Carmona who has 12 receptions for 333 yards with 4 touchdowns and 27.8 yards per catch. Beyond Carmona, the only other targets are running backs in Malcolm Perry and Darryl Bonner. The next closest wide receiver that has made an impact is Brandon Colon who has 3 catches for 78 yards with 26 yard average and 1 touchdown. Notre Dame is 79th against the pass allowing 234.5 yards per game and are allowing opponents to complete 56.5 percent of their passes with 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. With Navy having a quarterback situation that is basically unknown until the start of the game will make it a little harder, but the big thing is preventing the big play when Navy does pass.


Edge: Notre Dame


Intangibles: Notre Dame is coming off a tough loss at Miami of Florida that filled with mistakes. Navy is coming off a close over SMU that stopped a three game losing streak. After the first game of the season, the Midshipmen have been in entirely close games with the biggest win being only 10 points, and the biggest loss being only 10 points as well. The Irish need to score early and often to prevent Navy from coming back. The defense needs to stop the option and shut it down. What is also important is coming out of the game injury free with the blocking style that Navy uses on offense. Regardless of who starts at quarterback for the Midshipmen, they will likely run for many yards. Look for the Irish to bounce back and play better in the final home game of the season.


Prediction: Notre Dame 44, Navy 17