Notre Dame Football: The 5 Most Intriguing Games of the Next 5 Seasons

With Notre Dame's athletic administration having locked up games into the 2016 season, there is much conversation to be had about the opponents.

There are a number of interesting games on the future schedules.

Maybe even a few games against old enemies and sleeping giants.

Follow along as we break down the most intriguing games of the next five seasons.

September 1, 2012: Navy

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BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 15: Allen Armando #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball against Jordan Stephens #69 of the Navy Midshipmen on November 15, 2008 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Notre Dame defeated Navy 27-21. (Photo by Jim Mc

Many of you may be wondering why Navy would ever qualify for this list.

It's not that Navy is a great opponent.

It's the location of the game.

The contest will be held in Dublin, Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

It will be Notre Dame's first game played outside of the United States since 1996 when the Irish also played Navy in Dublin.

The game also figures to be the start of a season filled with BCS championship aspirations.

October 6, 2012: Miami

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver Michael Floyd #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball past Jared Campbell #37 and Sean Spence #31 of the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

This will be the first regular-season matchup between Miami and Notre Dame since 1990.

The teams will meet at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The rivalry was one of the best in the country during the 1980s when the 'Canes were coached by Jimmy Johnson.

Perhaps the greatest game in Notre Dame Football history was against the Hurricanes in 1988. Miami came into Notre Dame Stadium ranked No. 1 with the Irish ranked fifth.

Lou Holtz's ND squad held on to win 31-30 on its way to the national championship.

Hopefully this game in 2012 will live up to the hype that the age-old rivalry created.

October 27, 2012: @ Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Jamarkus McFarland #97 and Pryce Macon #94 of the Oklahoma Sooners run out of the tunnel after the half to take on the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 201

The Oklahoma Sooners, favorites to win the national title this year (2011), will be a very tough matchup for the Irish.

The game is in Norman, making things even more difficult for Brian Kelly's squad.

This game does have some history behind it. The 1957 Fighting Irish ended Oklahoma's NCAA record 47-game winning streak.

The Irish will host the Sooners in 2013.

October 5, 2013: Arizona State

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TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 02: Runningback Cameron Marshall #26 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scores a rushing touchdown during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on December 2, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 30-29 i

This will be a very exciting game, as Arizona State is a program on the rise. Also, the game will be played at Jerry Jones' playground, otherwise known as the new Cowboys Stadium.

This contest has the potential to be a trap game as it is sandwiched between two tough home games against USC and Oklahoma.

The Irish will travel to Arizona State the following season in 2014.

November 15, 2014: Northwestern

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats encourages his team as they take on the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo b

This will be the first meeting between the two schools in 20 years. There is a long and storied rivalry as well, with the first game being played 1889.

The Irish will travel to Evanston to take on the Wildcats in 2018.

September 5, 2015: Texas

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert #7 of the Texas Longhorns during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas Defeated Nebraska 20-13. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)

Notre Dame and Texas have met on the field 10 times with the Irish having won eight of those matchups.

This is a very high-profile game for both schools and is sure to generate plenty of buzz in the weeks leading up.