Final score prediction for the Notre Dame football battle against the Navy Midshipmen

When Notre Dame football takes on the Navy Midshipmen on Saturday, it is going to be the battle between two elite units: the Irish defense and the Navy offense. The outcome of this football should largely be settled based upon how that matchup shakes out. Al Golden and his defense have a chance to make a huge statement this weekend.

For the Irish offense, it’s going to be about not killing yourself. Navy is an underwhelming defensive group that makes their living off of forcing turnovers, including 14 of them so far this season. If Notre Dame can protect the football, there’s a good chance that they will have a lot of success. This is a defense that can surrender some big plays, and you can run on theoretically.

This game feels like one where Notre Dame comes out with a bit of a statement, at least on defense. That unit has been great this year, but we have been waiting for the duo of Howard Cross and Riley Mills to really assert themselves. We have seen that impact from the tandem the last couple of games, and they should be a very tough challenge for a smaller Navy offensive line.

If Notre Dame can put together the defensive performance I believe they can, then the offense should get a big boost. While there are still some questions remaining coming out, this could be the team’s most impressive all around performance so far. Don’t hurt yourself, and it has a chance to be a big victory.

For the players of the game, Irish quarterback Riley Leonard looks on the cusp of a huge outing. Leonard is a dynamic athlete who should be a lot for the second level of the Navy defense to handle. Add that into the fact that the Midshipmen secondary is able to be taken advantage of, and this could be an explosive offensive performance.

On defense, this feels like a Howard Cross game. We could see No. 56 making plays early and often in this contest.

Score Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Navy 10