Notre Dame football vs. Navy Midshipmen: 3 Irish players to watch

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Sep 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker JD Bertrand (27) reacts after the game against the Toledo Rockets at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football vs. Navy Midshipmen: 3 Irish players to watch

J. D. Bertrand

This season, linebacker J.D. Bertrand has been a tackling machine, as he is leading the Irish in tackles in a big way, already racking up 71 through the team’s first eight games. To put that in perspective, the No. 2 tackler on this team this season is defensive end Isaiah Foskey, who has 39 to his credit across the eight-game slate.

Bertrand is a huge part of what the Irish like to do defensively, and against a team that loves to run the ball, he is going to have more than a few opportunities to add to his tackle total for the season. In fact, I believe he is going to go well over ten tackles in this game while making a few plays that turn this game on its head.

Apr 13, 2019; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmets sit on the field following the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

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All told, this is a game that the Irish need to win, and need to win big, as they have some moves to make in terms of the College Football Playoff rankings. Notre Dame football is the better team, and should easily cover the spread, and if they do so, it will be because the defense, led by Bertrand, absolutely shut down the Navy rushing attack.

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