Notre Dame looks to go 7-1 on the season, but an undefeated and 25th-ranked Navy team is ahead of it in East Rutherford on Saturday.

Can the Fighting Irish keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive or can Navy take down Notre Dame for the first time since 2016?

Here’s what the Notre Dame staff at Sports Illustrated sees happening in Saturday’s rivalry showdown.

I’ve been messaging friends and Notre Dame supporters all week, including the esteemed* Nick Shepkowski, about how I’m legitimately terrified of how this game could turn out. I rarely do that. And they’ve all talked me off the edge. I was there in 2019 when a ranked Navy team posed a threat to the Irish…and then Chase Claypool scored four touchdowns and the Irish won 52-20. But excuse me for worrying about a Navy team that might be their best squad since Roger Staubach put them together. My key to the game is the discipline at the back of the Irish defence. If they can keep an eye on a Navy team that can actually throw it a little bit now and not give up that big breaking play that could change the tide, I’m confident that Riley Leonard and the Irish offense can put up enough to win and advance.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Navy 23

Bold prediction: Riley Leonard and Notre Dame move the ball at will and the stats will back it up.

*Editor’s Note: Nick Shepkowski is many things but appreciated is certainly not one of them.

Normally, good Notre Dame teams don’t let Navy hang around. Even when Navy is good. This year should be no different. The Midshipmen have played a weak schedule thus far, and Notre Dame is battle tested and will not take Navy lightly. Also, Navy’s defense shouldn’t be able to stop the Irish even with the potential for limited possessions. Al Golden and the ND defense should have more success.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Navy 17

Bold Prediction: Jeremiah Love goes off for 150+ yards of total offense which includes a career best rushing on the ground (more than 109 yards rushing).

Notre Dame will travel to East Rutherford to take on undefeated and 24th-ranked Navy on Saturday. I expect some frustrating moments early on for the Irish defense as they try to settle and find their footing against this very competent Navy attack. Eventually, the Irish will wreak some havoc on the Midshipmen backfield, and Notre Dame’s offensive talent can handle plenty of limited possessions.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame, 35, Navy 24

Bold Prediction: An unknown receiver will flash big in this game. Maybe a Jayden Harrison or Kris Mitchell.

Navy is America’s darling and understandably so. The young men who have much bigger fish to fry in life in the not too distant future are playing some ball this fall and America would like nothing more to ruin Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff hopes.

As impressive as Navy’s offense has been this year (fourth-highest points per game in the FBS), they haven’t faced a team like Notre Dame. If they just do what they’ve done all year and keep the game in front of them, Navy won’t light up the scoreboard like it has against traditional powerhouses Charlotte, UAB and Temple.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Navy 14

Bold prediction: For the first time since the Purdue game in early September, Notre Dame scores first.

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