No. 12 Notre Dame is set to compete against No. 24 Navy for the Rip Miller Trophy this Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This marks the third consecutive year that this historic college football rivalry will be played at a neutral location.
Navy and Notre Dame faced off annually from 1927 to 2019, establishing the longest uninterrupted non-conference series in college football history. However, this streak was interrupted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their 96 meetings, Notre Dame holds an 80-13-1 advantage (excluding vacated games), showcasing their dominance in this rivalry. The Midshipmen have managed only one win against the Fighting Irish in the last decade and four since the start of the 21st century.
Navy’s last victory in East Rutherford was a 35-17 win in 2010. This matchup also marks only the third instance in the last 67 years that both teams are ranked. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 7-2-1 when both schools are in the AP Top 25.
Although this game will not affect conference standings, it has significant implications for the College Football Playoff race, adding to the traditional rivalry stakes. Notre Dame is listed at -250 to make the CFP, while Navy’s odds sit at +1500.
To watch the Notre Dame vs. Navy game live:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: Noon ET
Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Key points for Notre Dame vs. Navy:
This game is more than just a rivalry; it carries heavyweight implications. With their combined record of 12-1, it’s the best meeting since 1945 when both teams were 5-0, resulting in a 6-6 tie. Navy aims for its first 7-0 start since 1978, while Notre Dame seeks to win six straight games under head coach Marcus Freeman. Notably, Navy hasn’t beaten multiple ranked teams in one season since 1958.
Since their shocking loss to Northern Illinois, the Fighting Irish have rebounded with five consecutive wins, matching their longest winning streak during Freeman’s tenure. They have been particularly strong defensively, allowing just 10.8 points per game during this stretch, tops in the FBS, and winning their last two contests by a combined score of 80-20.
Injuries have plagued Notre Dame, with two starting offensive linemen, two starting defensive linemen, and their top cornerback missing from the lineup.
On the offensive end, Navy, under the direction of offensive coordinator Drew Cronic, has made significant strides, leading the American Athletic Conference with 44.8 points per game—an impressive 27.1-point improvement from last season. The Midshipmen have scored at least 34 points in every game this season, marking their best scoring output since 2010.
Quarterback Blake Horvath has been pivotal in this turnaround. He contributes both on the ground and through the air, leading the FBS in pass efficiency and yards per attempt. He has also joined a select group of quarterbacks to achieve over 10 rushing touchdowns this year, becoming the first since Jalen Hurts in 2019 to average over 100 yards passing and rushing per game through six games.
Looking ahead to the matchup, Notre Dame has been strong lately, which may inflate the betting line. While Navy is expected to present a tough challenge, the Fighting Irish are favored to win. However, many anticipate a closer contest than the odds suggest. The recommended pick is Navy +12.5.