Notre Dame's Resurgence in Playoff Picture

Notre Dame's Fighting Irish, currently ranked number ten in the nation with a six and two record, have made a remarkable turnaround after losing their first two games of the season. According to a report from Deadspin, the Fighting Irish have won six consecutive games, with their last four victories coming at home.

Head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized that the focus should be on preparation for their upcoming game against Navy, rather than dwelling on their playoff ranking. He stated, 'If I sit in my office and try to come up with some way to utilize our ranking as motivation, I'm wasting time.' Notre Dame's next challenge comes against a strong Navy team that boasts a seven and one record.

The Midshipmen are looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season against North Texas. Navy's head coach Brian Newberry expressed excitement about the rivalry matchup, asserting that his team is not just looking for a good performance but aims to win the game outright.

Both teams have formidable offenses, with Notre Dame featuring a dynamic backfield led by running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Love has amassed 894 rushing yards and scored 11 touchdowns, while Price has contributed 521 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Quarterback CJ Carr, in his first year as a starter, has thrown for over 2,000 yards, completing sixty-six and a half percent of his passes with sixteen touchdowns and four interceptions. Freeman acknowledged the importance of diversifying the offense, saying, 'We have to be able to run the ball, but if teams aren’t going to allow you to run the ball, we’ve got to be able to throw the ball to the top of the defense.' On the defensive side, Freeman warned that Notre Dame must remain disciplined against Navy's unique offensive scheme, which requires players to have their eyes in the right spots to avoid misplays.

With the playoff picture tightening, this game presents a critical opportunity for Notre Dame to strengthen its postseason aspirations as they prepare to face their historic rival, Navy.