For the 99th time, the 5th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1) will take on the Navy Midshipmen (2-5) in one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football. This wasn't a rivalry built on hate or resentment, rather a rivalry built on respect, honor and tradition. This is one of my favorite games the Irish play on an annual basis, and this year, they take on the Midshipmen inside of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Notre Dame is heavy favorites in this matchup and have the opportunity for a 'get right' game before Miami comes to town in seven days. 

Here is everything you need to know prior to kickoff: 

Where: Foxborough, Mass. - Gillette Stadium  
When: 12:00 PM ET
Television: Bob Wishusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Radio: Tony Simeone (play-by-play), Mike Golic Sr. (analyst); SiriusXM Channel 81
Line: 

After their 16-game win streak came to an end in Provo, Utah, the Irish got back to work during the bye week. The Cougars were able to expose some warts that other teams earlier in their schedule weren't talented enough to bring to light. Thankfully, Notre Dame's bye week couldn't have come at a better time and we'll have a front row seat in seeing what adjustments where made during their time off. Offensively, it's about getting more creative and letting quarterback CJ Carr loose and remove some of his responsibilities pre-snap. 

Defensively, the Irish need to get back on track. Two of their last three games have been let down performances. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash has all the talent in the world on this unit. Let them loose, play fast and aggressive and put them in positions to be successful. This is a crucial point in the season for head coach Marcus Freeman and it starts with dominating their oldest rival. 

Navy is not having the season many believed they would coming out. Losing key players like Blake Horvath, Alex Tecza, Eli Heidenreich and Landon Robinson proved more costly for head coach Brian Newberry than I had expected. Still, the offense is finding their footing under first year starter Jackson Gutierrez while still utilizing Braxton Woodson as a gadget/rotational player. Offensive coordinator Drew Cronic has done a tremendous job the last two games attacking the perimeter and getting the ball into the hands of their best playmakers. 

The Midshipmen defense has been the consistent kryptonite to this team in 2026. They're still stout against the run and rank 31st in the country in yards per game allowed and 17th in the country in yards per carry allowed. It's the Navy pass defense that's taken a massive step back. They rank 123rd in passing yards allowed, 136th in yards per attempt and yards per completion allowed, 124th in touchdowns allowed and 138th in passer rating. Gearing up to face Carr and the Notre Dame offense is a daunting task for this secondary. 

This is the 99th meeting between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen. The Irish hold an 84-13-1 all-time series lead. Notre Dame dominated in their last outing 49-10 and have held Navy winless in this series over the last eight outings. 

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