WHO? No. 8 Notre Dame (8-2) vs. Navy (6-3).
WHAT? It is a storied series, if not necessarily a rivalry. Partly due to that, partly as an homage to the original “House That Rockne Built” and partly because otherwise there would be no alternate uniform this season, the Irish will be wearing “Rockne Heritage” uniforms.
WHEN? 3:41 p.m. ET. Considering Notre Dame will recognize 26 seniors before kickoff, tuning in a bit early would include a few of those moments. The last half dozen are likely to be the six senior captains. In order: former walk-on receiver Austin Webster, linebacker Greer Martini, linebacker Nyles Morgan, left guard Quenton Nelson, linebacker Drue Tranquill and fifth-year left tackle Mike McGlinchey.
WHERE? For the seventh and final time this season, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.
NBC has the broadcast, which means an online stream is available at: http://ndstream.nbcsports.com/
For those on the move, take a look at the NBC Sports app. If abroad, enjoy NBC Sports Gold.
WEATHER? It’s mid-November in northwestern Indiana. An unpleasant outdoor experience is something of a given. This weekend is no different. Precipitation is all-but guaranteed, the only question is if it will be rain or snow, with temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees before falling just below freezing.
WHY? By now, most are familiar with the Navy’s role in keeping Notre Dame’s doors open during World War II. That bit is not legend. It is very well-established fact. That is also the company line as to why this series continues on with never a thought of a break.
On a more philosophical level, they play this game because strange things happen in football and taking the time to reach a result is often worthwhile. If not, the world would be robbed of this Allen Rossum memory from 1997.
BY HOW MUCH? A spread on this game was only intermittently available this week, due to questions about who Navy will start at quarterback. That should hardly matter. To use Irish coach Brian Kelly’s phrase, the Midshipmen triple-option offense is “plug-and-play” at quarterback. Kelly meant it as quite the compliment to Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo.
When available, the line has consistently favored Notre Dame by 17.5 with a combined points total over/under of 59.5, making for a theoretical 38-21 conclusion.
Using that as a baseline, let’s expect the Irish defense to be motivated to have a good showing for the first time in three weeks.
Notre Dame 38, Navy 14. (7-3 record on the season.)
THIS WEEK’S INSIDE THE IRSH READING:
— Monday’s Leftovers: A need to execute and a need for continued defensive line improvement
— Question for the Week (rather, for the Year): On Notre Dame, pride and progress
— Notre Dame’s bowl likelihoods and opponents round-up
— And In that Corner ... The Navy Midshipmen with that pesky triple-option
— Things To Learn: Will Notre Dame, and Wimbush, rebound?
— Friday at 4: To the seniors, the leaders
— Friday at 4 (Oct. 27): If/when Notre Dame loses, shed the disappointment
INSIDE THE IRISH COVERAGE FROM THE MIAMI GAME: — Notre Dame’s Playoff hopes drowned by Hurricanes
— Things We Learned: Without a passing game, Notre Dame is not *there* yet
— Sunday Notre Dame Notebook: Atmosphere, crowd & turnovers doomed Irish from outset
THIS WEEK’S OUTSIDE READING: — The Observer profiles all 26 Notre Dame seniors
— After brief benching in Miami beatdown, Brandon Wimbush regroups with Navy on deck
— For Durham Smythe, patience finally pays
— Leaving a legacy: Mike McGlinchey cements place as leader for Notre Dame
— All-American mentality: Quenton Nelson instills high standard as Irish leader
— Always working: Drue Tranquill focuses on growth in all aspects of life
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