Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Navy Midshipmen Complete Game Preview

College football's longest-running intersectional rivalry continues this weekend, with Notre Dame and Navy meeting for the 88th time.

Just a game after battling the defending national champions in Tallahassee, the Irish will take on one of their oldest rivals in a game that certainly lacks the glamour of Florida State but still demands the respect of Notre Dame. 

The Midshipmen's four early losses are a disappointment for a Navy team that had high expectations entering the season. But injuries to quarterback Keenan Reynolds and a rash of uncharacteristic turnovers have plagued the Midshipmen, a team that usually operates on a razor-thin margin.

But Ken Niumatalolo's squad enters FedExField on a two-game winning streak, with a healthy quarterback and an offense firing on all cylinders. 

For the Irish, the challenge will be simple, yet difficult to achieve: Slow down Keenan Reynolds.

Navy's junior quarterback may not be playing at the level he was in 2013, but he's Navy's all-time touchdown leader. Against a young Irish defense with a coordinator who hasn't seen the option in a decade, playing assignment correct football will be critical. 

With the College Football Playoff Selection Committee releasing their first rankings later this week, 6-1 Notre Dame will find out its starting spot in the race to the postseason. But none of that matters if the Irish can't take care of business against the Midshipmen, something that's gotten a lot harder in recent years. 

Let's get you ready for the annual matchup with Navy:

Date: Saturday, November 1

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Place: FedExField in Landover, Maryland

TV: CBS

Radio: IMG College Sports, SiriusXM Channel 129

Spread: Notre Dame by 14.5, according to Odds Shark.

Notre Dame Keys to Victory

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Be Efficient Offensively

Expect the Midshipmen to try and control the clock and keep the ball out of Everett Golson's hands.

Last year, that plan worked perfectly, with Navy winning the turnover battle 2-0 and limiting Notre Dame's opportunities. The Midshipmen held the football for 15 more minutes than Notre Dame, nearly springing the upset until the Irish stopped a 4th-down reverse with just over a minute to go. 

On paper, there's no reason Navy should be able to slow down the Irish offense. But Everett Golson's recent turnover issues need to stop this weekend. The Irish can't afford to come out of offensive drives without points, especially when they're going to get limited opportunities. 

In 2012, the Irish ran away with the game, scoring early and often and forcing Navy to play catch-up football, something they're not equipped to do. Last year, two Tommy Rees interceptions in the second quarter kept the Midshipmen in the game. 

After playing a solid game offensively against Florida State, it's time for the Irish to take a step forward and score a lot of points. 

Make Navy Earn Its Points 

You shouldn't expect Brian VanGorder and the Irish defense to shut down Navy's option attack. But the Irish have got to make Navy earn its points. That means no breakdowns when it comes to playing assignment-correct football. 

Tackle the fullback. Make the option beat you on the outside. Don't fall prey to the half-dozen play-action passes that Navy will certainly attempt. 

Keenan Reynolds is the most dangerous option triggerman we've seen during this recent renaissance started by Paul Johnson and continued by Ken Niumatalolo. He's a capable passer and a dangerous runner who will find a way to get his yardage. 

You can expect VanGorder to play a more aggressive scheme than Bob Diaco, who had success after struggling greatly in his first attempt to slow down the triple-option. But the Irish can't let that aggression lead to big plays. 

Navy Keys to Victory

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Keep the Chains Moving

While most Irish fans are focusing on the fact that Brian VanGorder hasn't faced an option offense in a decade, they're forgetting that Navy's offensive staff hasn't seen a scheme like VanGorder's, either.

Likely to face an array of run-stuffing blitzes, it'll be critical for the Midshipmen's success to stay "on schedule" on first and second down, giving them manageable third-down opportunities.

Last year, Navy was able to convert 10 of 16 third-down attempts, keeping the Midshipmen on the field and—just as importantly—the Irish offense off of it.  While they faced a mostly "read and react" scheme last season, this Irish defense will be a much different beast. 

Keenan Reynolds will need to keep the offense on schedule and the chains moving if Navy wants to pull off the upset. 

Find a Way to Limit Notre Dame's Explosive Plays

This has been Notre Dame's most explosive offense under Brian Kelly. That's bad news for a Navy defense that's going to be undermanned this weekend. 

We've seen Will Fuller, C.J. Prosise and Corey Robinson make big plays in the passing game, with Everett Golson's ability to extend plays outside the pocket a nightmare for defenses.

After Tarean Folston introduced himself to the college football world with a big game against Navy last year, the entire running back depth chart will likely get another opportunity as well. 

Buddy Green's defense can't go toe-to-toe with the Irish in the strength department. But it has shown an ability to make a big play against the Irish by either forcing a turnover or getting a critical stop. But if Navy can't keep the Irish's playmakers from dominating and scoring on explosive plays, it won't matter. 

Notre Dame Players to Watch

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Everett Golson

If ever there was a game to put a turnover streak behind him, Saturday presents that opportunity. The Irish offense doesn't need Golson to do anything superhuman—just manage the offense and direct it with precision. 

A week after playing better than his stat line allowed, Golson goes up against a Navy defense that ranks 107th in forcing turnovers. With a wide receiving corps expecting a big day and a running game that should be able to do the same, Golson can start November with a flawless performance, ready to lead the Irish through a critical month. 

Jarron Jones

A week after racking up three tackles for loss against Florida State, Jones is going to have that opportunity on Saturday against a Navy offense that has been deadly efficient running the football.

Anchoring the middle of the Irish defensive line, Jones will have his hands full with fullbacks Noah Copeland and Chris Swain, with the duo averaging almost eight yards per carry.

The Irish's option defense will be only as good as their ability to stop the first element of the triple-option. With Jones coming off a Saturday when he abused Florida State's interior, the 6'5" defensive tackle will have to fight off chop blocks, but he should be able to make a ton of big plays.  

Navy Players to Watch

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Keenan Reynolds

After battling injuries to both his shoulder and his knee for most of the season, Reynolds is getting healthy at the perfect time for the Midshipmen. After two weeks off, Reynolds exploded against San Jose State, running into the Navy record books with 251 yards on 39 carries. 

Now the all-time touchdown record holder for Navy football, Reynolds gave Notre Dame all it could handle last season, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air as the Irish held off the Midshipmen in the game's final minutes in a narrow 38-34 victory.

While this season hasn't gone according to plan for Navy's talented junior triggerman, the Midshipmen might not win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, but pulling off the upset against the Irish would more than make up for it.  

Paul Quessenberry

One of the top pass-rushers for the Midshipmen, Quessenberry played big in the season opener against Ohio State and currently leads Navy in tackles for loss and sacks. While Notre Dame's ground game got on track against Florida State, the Irish will still look to move the ball through the air, giving Quessenberry opportunities to track down Everett Golson in the backfield. 

Matched up against either Ronnie Stanley or Christian Lombard, Quessenberry is undersized at 6'2", 251 pounds. But he's had success with speed and athleticism, something that's given the Irish trouble. Buddy Green's defense isn't known for having a plethora of playmakers, but Quessenberry certain has the ability.

What They're Saying

JOE RAYMOND/Associated Press

"As it relates to the cut blocks, stop being crybabies, and go play the game. I don't want to hear about cut blocks. Get in your stance, get off the ball and play the game. I don't want to hear about it. It's part of the game, and they're legal, and you've got to get off the ball and go play." —Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, when asked about Navy's blocking scheme. 

"We played about as good as we can play and we still lost. To even have a chance, we have to play perfect and they have to help us a little bit." —Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, according to the Capital Gazette. 

Prediction

STEVEN CANNON/Associated Press

While Notre Dame is coming off its first loss, it might be playing its best football of the season. The same goes for Navy, finally hitting its stride with the star quarterback healthy and productive after missing multiple weeks. 

There are plenty of variables to consider on Saturday. Will Brian VanGorder fare better than Bob Diaco, Jon Tenuta or Corwin Brown in their early attempts to slow down the Navy option? Can Navy's defense continue to force Notre Dame turnovers?

Ultimately, the talent and athleticism gap between the two teams will be too much for the Midshipmen to overcome. While Navy will likely find some success thanks to Keenan Reynolds, ultimately slowing down the Irish offense will be too large of a chore and force the Midshipmen away from the triple-option.

Final Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Navy 24

*Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand.