Notre Dame vs. Navy Preview: A Dublin Duel to Kick Off College Football

by

Aug 23, 2023

Fans are in for a treat as the 2023 college football season kicks off. Notre Dame and Navy, two of the most storied programs, will make their Dublin debut in Ireland this weekend. This transatlantic face-off between the Fighting Irish and the Midshipmen is set to electrify Saturday afternoon.

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In this match, Notre Dame has been pegged as a three-touchdown favorite, laying 20.5 points against Navy. However, while the odds might seem tilted in Notre Dame’s favor, there are factors at play that might swing the momentum.

Ken Niumatalolo’s departure from Navy might have made headlines, but under their new head coach, Brian Newberry, the team expects to retain its hallmark – the triple option offense. This strategy has historically been a challenge for teams, especially when trying to cover large spreads against service academies.

The question beckons: Can Navy defy the odds and bridge the 20.5-point gap against Notre Dame? Drawing from an insider perspective, the sentiment is that the game might be more competitive than the betting odds suggest. The weather in Dublin, notoriously unpredictable, could play a pivotal role. Windy and rainy conditions, a familiar setting in Ireland, might just dampen the scoreline.

Notre Dame, despite its illustrious history, is undergoing a transition. The team will be introducing a new quarterback in Sam Hartman, and the jury is still out on Marcus Freeman’s tenure as the head coach. While he managed to steer the ship during challenging times last year, there’s always the question of early-season stumbles.

If predictions were to be made, while leaning toward Navy with the points seems plausible, the under stands out more prominently. Given the external factors and team dynamics, the general consensus is not to expect a high-scoring game.

As Notre Dame and Navy square off in Dublin, it’s not just about the points or the winner but the spirit of the game, the legacy of the teams, and the exhilaration of college football returning with such an iconic matchup.

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Thumbnail photo via Greg Swiercz / USA TODAY NETWORK

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