No. 12 Notre Dame will face No. 24 Navy at MetLife Stadium

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Notre Dame enters the latest version of the long-running rivalry with the higher ranking but, unusually, with one more loss than the Midshipmen. The Fighting Irish realize that another loss, even to a ranked opponent, could derail their playoff hopes before November. Navy is trying to snap a six-game losing streak in the series and celebrate its first 7-0 start since 1978. And a win, perhaps, could put the Midshipmen in the playoff discussion.

KEY COMBINATION

Navy’s ground game against Notre Dame’s defensive line. The Fighting Irish have won in large part due to the strength of a defense that featured three preseason All-Americans. But injuries decimated the Irish, who lost two defensive ends to season-ending injuries. Navy’s surprising start was built primarily on a ground game averaging 274.8 yards. Whoever wins this battle will most likely win the game. As always, turnover can be a factor.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Navy: QB Blake Horvath. Although midshipmen rely on a cumbersome system, junior has given the Navy a different look. He threw three touchdowns in last week’s win over Charlotte and is Navy’s second-leading rusher. What else? Horvath and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe are the only FBS quarterbacks who have at least 10 TD passes and 10 TD runs.

Notre Dame: DT Howard Cross III. If that name sounds familiar to New Jersey fans, it should. Cross’ father won a Super Bowl 25 ring with the New York Giants as a tight end. But young Cross forged his own path. As one of the best-run defenders in the FBS, the preseason All-American’s skill set will face a major challenge.

FACTS AND FIGURES

These schools have met every season from 1927 until the COVID-19 pandemic canceled in 2020. Notre Dame won 43 straight from 1963-2006. … Navy is 2-0 all-time at MetLife Stadium. He beat the Irish there in 2010 and Army there in 2021. … Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard ranks second among all active FBS quarterbacks with 29 TD runs. He has 10 this season. … The bowl-eligible Midshipmen enter this weekend as one of 10 undefeated FBS teams and one of three FBS teams to have won every game this season by at least 10 points (Army, Indiana). … Notre Dame’s defense allows 11.9 points per game (fifth in the FBS) and ranks in the top 15 in seven other defensive categories. … Navy has four all-time wins against Notre Dame when the Irish are ranked – 2009, 1957, 1944 and 1936. … Navy is tied with Kansas for the best red zone offense in the country.