### Notre Dame vs. Navy: A Historic Rivalry with Playoff Implications The upcoming college football game between Notre Dame and Navy is not just another matchup; it is a storied rivalry that has significant implications for the College Football Playoff (CFP) landscape. Notre Dame, currently ranked No. 10 with a record of 6-2, is looking to solidify its playoff chances after recovering from an early-season slump. Meanwhile, Navy, boasting a 7-1 record, aims to bounce back from a recent loss that has put its playoff aspirations in jeopardy. The Fighting Irish's strong run defense will be tested against Navy's leading rushing offense, which employs a triple-option strategy. This game, set for November 8, 2025, at Notre Dame Stadium, promises to be a clash of styles and a pivotal moment for both teams as they vie for postseason recognition [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_prediction_who_wins_and_why/s1_17022_43035197]. ### Breakdown of the Matchup: Key Factors to Consider 1. **Team Records and Rankings**: - Notre Dame: 6-2, ranked No. 10 in the CFP. - Navy: 7-1, currently unranked but leading the American Athletic Conference [https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/national-news/indiana/navy-vs-notre-dame-predictions-picks-odds-who-wins-week-11-college-football-game]. 2. **Recent Performance**: - Notre Dame has won six consecutive games after starting the season 0-2, showcasing resilience and improvement [https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_score_prediction_by_expert_football_model/s1_17022_43030652]. - Navy suffered its first loss of the season last week against North Texas, which has raised questions about its playoff viability [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_preview_and_betting_info/s1_16526_43030509]. 3. **Offensive and Defensive Matchups**: - Navy leads the nation in rushing offense, primarily utilizing a triple-option attack, while Notre Dame boasts one of the top run defenses in the country [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_prediction_who_wins_and_why/s1_17022_43035197]. - The effectiveness of Notre Dame's front seven will be crucial in containing Navy's ground game [https://networktoday.org/navy-vs-notre-dame-prediction-odds-picks-and-best-bet]. 4. **Betting Odds and Predictions**: - Notre Dame is favored by 24.5 points, with an over/under set at 49.5 [https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/national-news/indiana/notre-dame-football-vs-navy-game-time-tv-early-odds]. - Predictive models, such as SP+, suggest a strong likelihood of a Notre Dame victory, projecting a score of 39-21 in favor of the Fighting Irish [https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_score_prediction_by_expert_football_model/s1_17022_43030652]. ### Supporting Evidence: Key Statistics and Predictions - **Navy's Rushing Offense**: - Senior quarterback Blake Horvath has accumulated 926 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns this season, making him a key player to watch [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_preview_and_betting_info/s1_16526_43030509]. - **Notre Dame's Defensive Strength**: - Ranked among the top dozen in run defense, Notre Dame's ability to stop the run will be pivotal in this matchup [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/notre_dame_vs_navy_prediction_who_wins_and_why/s1_17022_43035197]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Game for Both Teams In summary, the Notre Dame vs. Navy game is set to be a critical encounter with playoff implications. **Key takeaways include**: 1. Notre Dame's current form and playoff positioning make them the favorites. 2. Navy's rushing attack will face a formidable challenge against a strong Notre Dame defense. 3. Predictions favor Notre Dame, but the unpredictability of rivalry games means anything can happen. As both teams prepare for this historic clash, fans can expect a thrilling contest that could shape the future of their respective seasons [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dame-navy-prediction-pick-odds-spread-where-to-watch-live].