The Notre Dame Football team leaves tonight for Ireland led by senior captains Kap Lewis Moore, Zack Martin, Tyler Eifert and Manti Te’o for what, on paper, should be a blowout. Notre Dame has a slew of returning lettermen and probably outweigh the Middies by at least 50 lbs. per man. However, Navy has a remarkably successful option attack and always brings a punishing fullback(see the 2010 game).

Defensive co-ordinator Bob Diaco seemed to shut this attack down last year but the truth of the matter is, the ND offense scored 56 points forcing Navy out of their run oriented attack trying to play catch up. The same thing could happen again this year but with an unknown Notre Dame QB playing his first game, I doubt it.

Navy has a great option oriented coach in Ken Niumatalolo who has had plenty of time to prepare for this game and just by tweaking a few things could give the Irish defense fits. Also, look for the Navy “D” to blitz like crazy to force Golson to pass. How Golson handles this pressure will determine the outcome of the game.

Navy could pull the upset by getting ND early in the season before Golson can settle down. If Navy can hold the ball and eat the clock they can win this game.

Notre Dame has the far superior talent, but far too often they don’t live up to their billing and they have no Michael Floyd to pull this game out for them.

So, really anything can happen but I see Navy sticking in with the Irish for the first half and being slowly worn down by the fourth quarter and ND escapes with a win.

Prediction:

Notre Dame 28 Navy 17