Notre Dame football: Ranking the Irish's 2021 schedule game-by-game

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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 16: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown past Kevin Brennan #10 of the Navy Midshipmen in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 16, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Ranking the Irish’s 2021 schedule by entertainment value

No. 8: Navy, Week 10

Losing the annual game against Navy was one of the biggest blows in a COVID-19 affected season. For many fans, it’s more than just a game, but a proud rivalry, regardless of how good the game itself actually turns out.

It’ll be back in 2021, and even though it’s a longshot that Navy turns out to be too tough of an opponent this year, it’s an exciting game to have back.

For Navy, everything hinges on finding a quarterback to run their triple-option approach. They’re hanging their hopes onto Xavier Arline. He’s a great, young, athlete who could’ve played at any academy, and was the number 5 lacrosse recruit in the country out of high school.

If he can get more confident in that offense and effectively run it, the whole team, both offense, and defense will become much better-rounded and potentially dangerous to everyone on their schedule.

Notre Dame fits into Navy’s schedule poorly for the Midshipmen, who are going to be going through their toughest stretch of games since Ken Niumatalolo got to Navy when they meet Notre Dame. They’ll either adapt and be ready for it, or they’ll crumble under the pressure.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series 77-13-1. They last met in 2019, when the Irish won 52-20.

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