The Anti-Preview: Notre Dame VS Navy

Welcome to the Anti-Preview here at Slap The Sign. Friends, Notre Dame and Navy meet for the 89th consecutive year this Saturday. While this is a game that for much of the series has seen the Irish as the favorite, we have all become accustomed to the theme of hard-fighting-overachieving-future-heroes-of-America.

Meanwhile, the Irish are coming off another tough road loss (something else we all have grown all too accustomed to) and just judging by the manner in which the Irish lost to Clemson, they’re going to have to dig deep down in their guts to get up for this one. OH GOD I ALMOST QUOTED DABO!

Navy

The Midshipmen are rolling along at 4-0 and Quarterback Keenan Reynolds is being discussed as a legitimate Heisman candidate in some corners of the college football world. Reynolds is also close to breaking the NCAA career rushing touchdown record. He currently has 73 rushing touchdowns while the record holder, former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball has 77.

Sep 26, 2015; East Hartford, CT, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds runs the ball for a touchdown against Connecticut Huskies Jamar Summers (21) in the second half at Rentschler Field. Navy defeated UConn 28-18. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Navy gets emotionally charged for this game in the same way they get for their battle against Army. The Midshipmen over the course of the past 8 seasons have wrecked the mystique of a Navy squad playing Notre Dame. Navy can win- and has in the recent past. That fact alone makes this triple-option team a triple-nightmare.

What Should You Be Drinking?

This game has all the makings of a dog fight. So, in that honor, we welcome you to the DANGER ZONE.

"The Danger ZoneIngredients2 oz Gin½ oz Maraschino Liqueur¼ oz Creme de Violette¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice1 slice Habanero Chili*InstructionsAdd the gin, Maraschino, Creme de Violette, and lemon juice to a shaker over ice. Shake and pour into a coupe or martini glass.Add habanero slice and give a quick stir.Serve immediately."

What Should You be Eating?

With Navy on the schedule, I suppose we could pull out the crab cake recipes, or even a seafood potpie. Nope. We need to step up our game just as badly as this Notre Dame football team.

Lobster Rolls y’all.

Haiku Ya Know

Oh hell… let’s use two for this week’s Notre Dame Haiku Challenge

"Navy to set sail Triple option won't stop us Onward: burn the boats!"

What Should You Be Wearing?

Pretty tough to go against the grain after seeing this

So, I guess, anything to match the match people. White shoes after labor day…

Bragging Rights

The Rip Miller Trophy is named after the legendary Rip Miller who was a part of Notre Dame’s 7 Mules that blocked for the 4 Horsemen. Rip went on to coach for Navy and then became their Athletic Director. He was one of the key figures in Navy sending students to Notre Dame during WWII as so many of Notre Dame’s students went to off to fight. It saved the school, and is why Notre Dame and Navy will play a football game every year until the second coming-and beyond.

Different from a typical rivalry trophy that is held by the winner each year and inscribed with the score of the game, the Rip Miller Trophy is composed of two symmetric halves, each of which will be inscribed with the names of the team’s captains for each year and will be held by the respective institutions during the year, being reunited whenever possible for the weekend of the annual game. Notre Dame’s half will reside in the trophy case outside the Alumni Association office in the Eck Center.

At The End Of The Day

While I think Notre Dame will be after blood in the water with the loss of Clemson still hanging around like a spiteful black cloud, this game could get interesting. It may take the Irish a half to get moving, but the offensive weapons that were somewhat muted last week, get loud and flashy.