Notre Dame in for Long Afternoon Against Navy Backfield

It's going to be a long day for the Notre Dame defense when it meets Navy this Saturday in Baltimore.

Navy, as usual, is the top rushing team in the country, and Notre Dame has shown little in terms of stopping the run.

Navy's triple option is an offense built on precision and timing. The Midshipmen run it well, and most of the time their opponent doesn't know who's carrying the ball. 

This offense is so complex that most opponents just can't prepare for it in one week.  Navy, once again is averaging over 300 rushing yards per game.

But, it's not just that Navy has the rushing numbers! It's the way they have done it against quality teams. The Midshipmen put up 346 yards against Ball State., 292 yards against Wake Forest, and 244 yards against Pitt. Ball St., Wake Forest and Pitt are all currently ranked.

Notre Dame is a team that hasn't done much to stop the run this year. 

In its four losses, the Irish have given up an average of 167 yards per game.  They even allowed 161 yards on the ground to Stanford and 159 to Michigan in two games they won.

The only teams they kept under the century mark: San Diego State and Washington, two of the worst teams in the country.

Navy is going to have a real good chance to steal this game and make it two in a row over the Irish. It's not just because they will be able to run, but because Notre Dame is coming into Saturday's affair a little beaten up.

Pitt and Boston College, Notre Dame's last two opponents, really wore down the Irish front seven. Pitt piled up 178 rushing yards and Boston College ran for 167.

Navy comes into the game as a slight underdog but I believe this game is going to be settled in the fourth quarter.

I look for Navy to wear out an all ready worn-down Notre Dame defensive line and control the ball for long periods of time, keeping the Irish defense on the field and their offense on the bench.

Two weeks ago in a 34-7 win over SMU, Navy tied an all-time record. They didn't attempt one pass the whole game.  Don't count on that happening on Saturday. They'll throw a couple just to keep the Irish off-balance.