The annual rivalry game is back, and this time Notre Dame will take on Navy at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. The game has often been one-sided lately, but there's always great pomp and circumstance with these two ancient programs.
This week, there's an extra layer of intrigue because the Fighting Irish are coming off their first loss of the season and have their biggest game of the year to date next week against Miami. Could Marcus Freeman's guys have an emotional letdown and not play as well as expected against the overmatched Group of 6 team?
For their part, Notre Dame players have talked a good game about the BYU game being a wake-up call, and they are locked in and ready to dominate every week from here on out. However, given the team is expected to win by more than four touchdowns, it wouldn't be shocking if the Irish struggle to get up for this one, knowing what's coming on November 7 and how important that game is to their national title aspirations.
Final Notre Dame vs. Navy odds, spread, and total
Since the week started, Notre Dame has been the heavy, heavy favorite. As of Saturday morning, the Irish are 30.5-point favorites despite the game being played at a neutral site, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
The total is surprisingly high at 58.5, despite Notre Dame's defense being quite good outside of the BYU game, which likely means oddsmakers believe the Irish will win by more than that 31-point spread.
While Navy offers a unique offense compared to the other teams Notre Dame routinely plays, the Irish defense hasn't had many problems with it over the years. Navy scoring 20 points on this ND squad would feel quite surprising.
Notre Dame football vs. Navy prediction
How does Saturday afternoon play out for Notre Dame vs. Navy? The only real question is whether the Irish are as dialed in as they claim. It's not just that they will have to be locked in for an overmatched opponent. It's also that CJ Carr and company know full well that even if they blow out the Midshipmen, people will still talk about how they can't do the same thing against a team "with a pulse."
That kind of naysaying can be deflating all on its own. The Irish are going to win; there really isn't any doubt about that. Will the game be a 30-point blowout? Yes, but it won't be as dominant as some would like.
Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Navy 10
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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