Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Odds & Game Pick (2019 College Football)

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For the first time since 1978, the Notre Dame (16) and Navy (21) rivalry will kick off Saturday with both teams ranked in the top 25. Only once in the last five years has the point spread been this close (Navy +7 in 2016), opening earlier in the week at Notre Dame +10 and since dropping to a touchdown. While a National Championship is all but out of the equation for the Fighting Irish, a New Years Day Six Bowl is still in reach if they can win out and get a bit of help. For the Midshipmen, they still control their own destiny in the AAC title hunt, but a win against Notre Dame would go a long way for larger bowl placement. Let’s take a deeper look at the 93rd meeting between these two long-time rivals.

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Navy Midshipmen @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Saturday, November 16th, 2019 – 2:30 pm EST
Notre Dame -7, O/U 54 (via PointsBet)

As it usually goes, the Midshipmen once again own one of the most potent running attacks in all of college football, leading the nation with 358.2 rushing yards per game (6.2 yards per rush). Known for being one of the last programs in the nation to still run the triple option, Navy continues to be a nightmare to prepare for even for the most talented and well-coached teams. In their last time playing prior to last week’s bye, the Midshipmen easily covered a 26-point spread on the road at Connecticut, winning a game that was never close 56-10 while rushing for 408 yards on 51 attempts (8.0 yards per rush). Senior quarterback Malcolm Perry leads the way for this Navy team, currently fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game at 130.3. While Navy sends out a dangerous offensive unit nearly every season, their defense is what really sets this team apart in 2019. Through eight games, Navy ranks 15th in the FBS allowing just 18.1 points per game, all while being in the high-flying American Athletic Conference.

A Week 3 loss on the road in Georgia was seemingly manageable for a Notre Dame team with College Football Playoff aspirations, needing to win out and get only a little help to once again return to the final group of four. Unfortunately for Irish fans, Michigan had other plans, dismantling this Notre Dame team 45-14 in a game that closed at Notre Dame +1. These 2019 Fighting Irish haven’t been noteworthy in any statistical categories, ranking 33rd in the FBS in points scored per game (34.2) and 21st in points allowed (19.2). While senior quarterback Ian Book has shown flashes of competency once again this season, he has failed to elevate his team to the level they need to be while throwing for just 223.2 yards per game. For a group of players who come into every season with National Championship or bust attitudes, the challenge for Brian Kelly and his staff the rest of the season, starting here with a hungry Navy team, will be keeping them focused on each task at hand.

Bottom Line?

One of the only teams in the FBS having gone this long without a bye week, Navy hasn’t played since November 1st and heads to South Bend fully rested and as healthy as they’ve been since the summer. In this classic matchup, that has occurred every year since 1927, the road team is 12-2 ATS over the last 14 games, and I like for that trend to continue on Saturday. Additionally, other than last season’s matchup which featured a significantly better (No. 3 at the time) and more focused Fighting Irish, the previous four of five contests were decided by 10 points or less. While Notre Dame most likely gets the job done late, I think Navy hangs close and finishes inside a touchdown.

Pick: Navy +7 

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