4 Reasons Why the Navy Midshipmen Could Upset Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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The Navy Midshipmen start off their 2012 football season with a early test against Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland.

Navy had a disappointing season last year, ending with a 5-7 record which included a six-game losing streak that culminated in a 56-14 blowout at the hands of the Fighting Irish.

Every season is a new season however, and the Midshipmen will look to get their season off in winning form against the team that handed them their worst loss of last season.

Here are four reasons why Navy could pull off the upset over Notre Dame.   

Gee Gee Green Is Going to Have a Monster Day

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Navy is known for willing the ball down the field behind its bone-crushing rushing attack. After losing star senior rusher Alexander Teich, the rushing duties will fall to Gee Gee Greene.

Greene only rushed for 501 yards and three touchdowns last season, but this was largely due to Teich's supremacy from the backfield.

Now that the duties have fallen to Greene, the big, powerful back will have a breakout season, starting with a big test against Notre Dame.  

If Notre Dame can't contain Greene, then the Fighting Irish will be looking at a long flight home. 

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson Will Be Completely Overwhelmed

Photo courtesy of georgia.scout.com

According to Chicago Sun-Times writer Mark Lazerus, Everett Golson will be Notre Dame's starting quarterback.

Also according to Lazerus, Golson has looked "completely overwhelmed" in his time at Notre Dame so far.

Saturday's game in Dublin—2,000 miles away from home against a Navy team that will eat him alive if given the chance—will be his first game as a starter.

Golson needs to stay calm and composed if Notre Dame wants a chance to win this one. 

The Crowd Will Be a Factor

Photo courtesy of navy.scout.com

This game will be played in the brand new Aviva Stadium, which is experiencing its first sellout in its two-year existence. 

On top of the 35,000 American fans rooting for either team, the rest of the stadium will be filled with raucous Irish (actual Irish people) fans just looking for a good game. 

If Navy can sway that Irish contingent, Notre Dame will find it hard to not wilt under the noise and the pressure. 

Navy Will Be Looking for Revenge

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As stated earlier, Notre Dame ran away with the last meeting by a very large margin. 

Navy will be looking to settle that score on Saturday. Navy have surprisingly won three out of the last five meetings between the two teams, so the Midshipmen will be looking to that for motivation.

Revenge is the underlying drive behind this Navy team, however. Despite the great, respectful rivalry that is developing between these two teams, Navy will have the extra motivation to rectify last year's miserable showing. 

At any rate, we are in for quite a show between Navy and the Fighting Irish. The game is being shown at 9am ET on CBS on Saturday.