Notre Dame vs. Navy: 5 Things to Watch as the Irish Host the Midshipmen

Notre Dame football hosts the Navy Midshipmen on Saturday in the nation’s oldest uninterrupted college football series.  It’s a contest of prolific passing attack versus unstoppable ground game.

While the matchup has the same general appearance year in and year out, this year’s contest has some interesting nuances.  Irish fans can expect multiple storylines during Saturday’s game, as the Irish are coming off an embarrassing loss to USC and the Midshipmen are likely without their starting quarterback.

No matter what happens, fans of both teams know this rivalry will live up to its annual billing as one of the nation's hardest fought games on the gridiron.

Will Kelly's Players Respond?

It’s no secret that Brian Kelly is upset with his players’ effort against USC last Saturday.  How will the Irish respond? Kelly had this to say after the USC debacle:

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You can see the players I recruited here, you know who they are. We’ve had one recruiting class here that I’ve had my hand on. The other guys here are coming along, but it’s a process.

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When a coach publicly flogs his team, it can have one of two effects.  Either the team comes out focused and ready to prove itself, or the team comes out flat and uninspired like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Kelly seems to be putting the onus on the upperclassmen.  Will this create a rift on the team?  If so, will we see that rift on Saturday?

Stadium Music: New or Old?

Against the Trojans, the Notre Dame athletic department decided to supplement the nation’s oldest band with commercially produced music played through Notre Dame Stadium’s speaker system.  The reviews were mixed at best.

Will Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick continue to cater to millennial fans who aren’t satisfied with Notre Dame’s traditional game day atmosphere?  Many Irish fans quiver at the notion of a JumboTron, but commercial music isn’t much different. 

Will fans revolt if the “piped in” music returns on Saturday?

Will Navy Backup QB Give Up the Ship?

Navy will likely be without starting quarterback Kriss Proctor, who dislocated his throwing elbow against East Carolina last week.  The Navy offense requires discipline and the ability to make the proper reads from quarterback, so this could spell trouble.

Without Proctor, backup Trey Miller will have to make sure to properly read Notre Dame’s stout defensive line.  Louis Nix is large enough to cover both “A” gaps, preventing a handoff to the fullback, but will the Navy signal caller be able to avoid Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt?

Watch for a lot of outside option plays by Miller to avoid disaster inside.  If he can get outside and properly read the defender at the end of the line of scrimmage, Navy may have a chance to retain its prolific ground game behind Miller at quarterback.

More Hendrix?

Playing behind Tommy Rees but offering a different dimension to the Irish offense, Andrew Hendrix showed promise against the Air Force Academy before the bye week.  Will Brian Kelly give him a more significant role?

Hendrix is a mobile quarterback who presents a non-traditional appearance to his opponents.  Instead of being the true drop-back passer like Rees, Hendrix spreads opposing defenses out with his feet.  Like Navy’s quarterback, he’s reading the defensive attack to determine whether he should keep the ball or hand it to his tailback.

If Kelly decides to use Hendrix more consistently against Navy, look for big plays from Notre Dame’s line of scrimmage.

Diaco's Defensive Battleplan

Bob Diaco’s defense was embarrassed unnecessarily against the Midshipmen last year.  The defense looked unprepared and unable to compensate for the Navy attack in the blowout loss.  Furthermore, Diaco’s defense seemed to struggle against Air Force when they came to town this year.

Has Bob Diaco reviewed any film on the Academies?  Notre Dame has played every version of the triple option imaginable over the years.  One would think Diaco would consult game film from previous coaching staffs.  Unfortunately, Diaco has employed the proper defense once—against a hapless Army last season in a 28-3 win at Yankee Stadium.

If you see Jamoris Slaughter lined up at the line of scrimmage to stop the Navy option, you’ll know it’s going to be a long day for the Irish.  If, however, you see Harrison Smith “running the alleys” to tackle the pitchman, you’ll know it’s going to be a long day for Navy, as Diaco will finally be prepared with the proper defensive strategy.