This game gives me the creeps for all I can think of are injuries. Further, I cannot understand why the cut block is allowed in college football. We have the size but the Navy OL can negate that blocking from the knees to the ankles. The Notre Dame DL will spend all game trying not to get injured. Manti Te’o admitted to be worried about a knee injury when playing Navy.

So Bob Diaco has to come up with a defensive game plan that just overwhelms Navy’s offense as he did last year. He was greatly aided by the Notre Dame offense putting up 56 points to Navy’s 14. But, in 2010 Navy crushed the Irish 35-17 in a game where the Navy fullback ran all over Notre Dame’s defense including Manti Te’o.

Navy has a very smart and savvy coach so Diaco better be on his “A” game. If Navy can keep it close, and run the clock, Notre Dame is in big trouble. He also better have a plan “B” which he didn’t have in 2010. The last thing we need is a Diaco brain freeze.

Since Navy went to option football they have been relatively successful having played and beaten some big time programs. Charlie Weis lost to them twice including the 2009 game when he had Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate by a score of 23-21.

For Notre Dame to win this game they have to score a ton of points and I’m just not sure they can do that. Just can’t rely on the defense, the offense has to play extremely well with no turnovers. I think this game will be closer than most anticipate, with the never give up Navy teams we’ve seen in recent years

Historically, the record is Notre Dame 71-11-1. During the 30’s, say from 1932-1942 the games were very close. 1944 Notre Dame lost 32-13, and in 1945 played to a 6-6 tie. Then the players returned from the war and usually crushed Navy. Notre Dame did not lose from1946 to 1955. Navy won in 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961 and 1963 when Roger Staubach was the quarterback. That’s interesting since Roger wanted to go to Notre Dame, and if I recall correctly Ara wanted him to play receiver .

Next Navy win was 2007 against Charlie Weis in 3 over times 46-44. The rest we know.

Game prediction coming in a later post.