Notre Dame Football: 10 Things You Need to Know About Navy

The 4-3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will look to rebound from a disappointing loss to USC when 2-5 Navy comes to town on Saturday afternoon to conclude a three-game homestand at Notre Dame Stadium.  The Irish were humbled last season at the Meadowlands, as the Midshipmen ran for 367 yards in a 35-17 rout.

Navy started the season with back-to-back wins against Delaware and Western Kentucky but has not won since, dropping five consecutive games.  Here are 10 things to know about coach Ken Niumatalolo's Midshipmen as they make their biennial visit to South Bend.

Ricky Dobbs Is Gone

Dobbs, the architect of the Navy attack for the past two seasons, led the Mids to two wins over the Irish and nearly pulled off a miracle comeback in 2008 after coming off the bench.  With Dobbs gone, Kriss Proctor has run the show this season in Annapolis.

The senior is quicker than his predecessor, but he hasn't displayed the toughness and strength that made Dobbs so effective in leading Navy to 19 wins during his two full seasons under center.  He's an intelligent player but doesn't fit the mold of a triple-option quarterback as well as Dobbs. 

Kriss Proctor Might Not Play

Proctor suffered an elbow injury in last week's loss to East Carolina, and the odds seem to favor him having to miss the game on Saturday.  If he can't go, Trey Miller will make his first career start in perhaps the most famous venue in college football.  With Notre Dame possibly without both starting defensive ends, having a less-experienced quarterback will be a significant benefit.

The sophomore replaced Proctor in the second quarter of the ECU game and nearly led the Midshipmen to a comeback win. Miller threw two touchdowns with no interceptions as Navy's rally fell just short when a potential game-tying 42-yard field goal hit the upright. 

The Mids Have Been Better on the Road

In three home games against FBS opponents, Navy has yet to win.  They were steamrolled by Southern Miss and lost heartbreakers to Air Force and East Carolina.  The lone home win came in the opener against Delaware.

On the road, however, the Mids have been impressive.  They only have one win in three games, but the two losses were by one at Rutgers and by three at South Carolina after leading in the fourth quarter.  Expect this trend to continue on Saturday.  

Navy's Bowl Hopes Ride on This Game

At 2-5, Navy is in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time in nine years.  They still have a trip to Dallas to play SMU, who is a superior team to the Midshipmen, and have winnable games against Troy, San Jose State and Army.

Assuming a loss to the Mustangs, Navy's bowl chances would go out the door with a loss in South Bend.  No player wants to be a part of the team that ends a long streak of bowl appearances, so expect an inspired effort down the stretch from the Midshipmen, beginning with Saturday's game.

Navy Has Won 2 Straight in South Bend

After Roger Staubach led Navy to a win at Notre Dame in 1963, it took 44 years for the Mids to again leave Notre Dame Stadium victorious.  However, both of the last two meetings in South Bend have gone the way of the visitors.

Charlie Weis' first Notre Dame team in 2005 was the last to beat Navy at home.  The tradition and mystique of Notre Dame Stadium will have little impact on this game, as the Midshipmen have turned the tide in the rivalry and expect to once again stun the Irish on their home turf.

The Pass Defense Is Awful

Despite an obvious talent advantage, Notre Dame has struggled to score on Navy in the past three meetings, averaging only 22 points per game.  The Irish should be able to double that number on Saturday.

Navy ranks dead last of 120 FBS teams in opponents' completion percentage, allowing just under 75 percent of passes to be caught.  The Irish passing game struggled against USC, especially Michael Floyd, but the Midshipmen secondary will provide a great opportunity for the offense to get back on track.

Navy Doesn't Have an Elite Slotback

From Tony Lane to Reggie Campbell to Shun White, Navy has always had a speed back that has caused the Irish fits as the pitch man in the triple option.  This year's team, however, doesn't have the elite outside runner as in years past.

Gee Gee Greene and John Howell have combined for 566 yards from the slotback position, but they aren't the home-run hitters that the program has had in recent seasons.  With the quarterback concerns as well, this offense has as many holes as it's had since Paul Johnson began the program's resurgence in 2002.   

Alexander Teich Is in a Slump

210.  The number of yards Alexander Teich ran for last year against Notre Dame is sure to be heard many times by Irish players this week as they prepare for another encounter with the powerful fullback.  Despite his great blend of speed and strength, Teich's 2011 season has cooled after a hot start.

The senior averaged 102 yards per game through the first four, but a suspension sidelined him for the loss to Southern Miss.  He returned for the last two games but has only averaged 55 yards per game in losses to Rutgers and East Carolina.

The Red-Zone Defense Is Weak

Red-zone failures once again cost Notre Dame in the loss to USC, as Dayne Crist's fumble on the 1-yard line as the Irish were about to fully erase a 17-0 deficit changed the course of the game.  The good news for Brian Kelly is that Navy's red-zone defense has struggled mightily.

The Midshipmen have allowed 27 scores in 33 red-zone trips this season, with the telling statistic being that 25 of those 27 scores were touchdowns.  Settling for field goals in the red zone will be a major disappointment on Saturday for the Irish.

Navy Is Strong After Halftime

The third quarter has been very kind to Navy, as they've outscored opponents 65-38 in their seven games this season.  Navy has rallied to take second-half leads against both Air Force and South Carolina, and they came up just short against Rutgers and East Carolina.

After taking a 21-10 halftime lead in last year's meeting, Navy dominated the third quarter and extended their lead to 35-10, wrapping up victory by the start of the fourth quarter.  Two years ago, the Midshipmen connected on a 52-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to break open a close game in South Bend and begin the end of the Charlie Weis era.