Notre Dame's defense always faces a unique task when facing the Midshipmen because of the style of offense that they run. It changes year to year based on their personnel and this season, offensive coordinator Drew Cronic has a different set of players on offense than he did in 2024 and 2025. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash is coming off of his worst performance since September of 2025 and looks to get the defense back on track against the Midshipmen and the triple option. Here are my three biggest storylines, two crucial battles and one player to watch in tomorrow storied rivalry between Notre Dame and Navy. 

1. Time To Get Back On Track 

The issues against BYU were a major concern, but the writing was on the wall dating back to the North Carolina game. Through their first four games, Notre Dame only allowed 199.3 yards per game and 8.3 points per game. In their last three games, they allowed 282.6 yards per game and 20.3 points per game and that average was helped out by Stanford only scoring 7 points in between the North Carolina and BYU games. This is a prime opportunity to get back on track for the Notre Dame defense and build some momentum when the Miami offense comes to town on November 7. 

2. Don't Overlook Navy 

With that big game against the Hurricanes on the horizon, the Irish also can't afford to overlook this Navy team. If they play an undisciplined game and resemble what they looked like against BYU, will they lose? No, but this is about rebuilding confidence and getting back on track heading into their November slate which currently features two Top 20 teams including the current No. 1 team in the country. Navy is a good enough offense to hurt this defense having put up 39 points against North Texas and 38 against UTSA in their last two outings. 

3. Remaining Strong Up The Middle Is Crucial 

The key to stopping the Navy offense is to not let them generate any momentum up the middle of the field. The defensive tackles, linebackers and safeties will play a crucial role in the success of the defense tomorrow afternoon. The Midshipmen will look to get fullback Vic Listorti going and then attack the perimeter if they can move the ball between the guards. Notre Dame can't afford to give up ground up the middle. Currently, the Irish have the 3rd-ranked rush defense in the country. That will have to shine this weekend. 

1. Notre Dame Interior D Line vs Navy Interior O Line 

The defensive tackles for Notre Dame have played well this season, but they have yet to have a player, or players, have a breakout game like we saw in spurts in 2023 and 2024. 6th-year defensive tackle Jason Onye is back from injury, Armel Mukam had his coming out party last season against the Midshipmen and two portal players in Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray are also expected to make their presence felt. Navy has a very experienced offensive line and are solid up the middle. This is going to be a test for the Fighting Irish interior defensive line. 

2. Linebackers vs Jackson Gutierrez/Braxton Woodson

Stopping the quarterback run is key '1B' to stopping the Midshipmen offense. The Notre Dame linebacking corps is coming off a rough game against the Cougar offense and will look to get back on track against two different quarterbacks. Navy will play both Jackson Gutierrez and Braxton Woodson with Woodson being more of a gadget player in this offense, but will still rotate in under center from time to time. Middle linebacker and captain Drayk Bowen will play a big role this week in getting everyone in their correct alignment and IDing Woodson whenever he's on the field. 

When they signed Gray out of the portal, one of the first things I said was 'can't wait to see how they use him against Navy.' Well, now's the time to see what the 6-5, 320-pound defensive tackle will do against the Midshipmen offense. Gray was brought to South Bend for games like this, to stop the run and plug the middle. On paper, he has the size advantage and athletic advantage against the Navy interior offensive line, but Gray has yet to have that breakout performance this season. Saturday is a prime opportunity for a 'coming out' part for the former Oregon defensive tackle. 

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