Navy plus 14 hosting Notre Dame
The last time I was this excited for a Notre Dame-Navy game was 1963 when Roger Staubach was the quarterback for the Midshipmen. And, yes, I watched that game.
I'm also pumped to take this many points with Navy, who is being disrespected by both the oddsmaker and betting market.
Forget last year's season-opening game in Ireland where the Irish smashed the Midshipmen, 42-3.
Navy is much improved this year. The Midshipmen are 6-0 for the first time since 1979. They have covered their last five games by an average of 18 points. The Midshipmen have yet to be priced properly.
The Midshipmen are averaging 44.4 points, fourth-best in the country. The key to Navy's offensive success is its first year offensive coordinator Drew Cronic, who tweaked Navy's traditional triple option attack. Cronic calls this new style of Navy's offense a "millennial version" of the Wing-T.
It's a strange and unique offense that is tough to game plan against. Notre Dame had all off-season to prepare for Navy's offense last year because the Midshipmen were its first opponent. Not so this year.
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath, is a dual threat just like his Notre Dame counterpart, Riley Leonard. Notre Dame has a talent edge, but I'm not sure if that edge extends to quarterback. The weakest part of the Irish's defense is stopping the run. Navy is going to get its rushing yards, while burning clock with its slow pace.
Navy is tied for being the most efficient red zone team in the nation with 22 touchdowns and a field goal in 23 trips inside the red zone. The Midshipmen take great care of the ball, too, committing only two turnovers.
The Midshipmen also rank in the top-five in red zone defense. Navy is plus 12 in takeaways/giveaways.
Notre Dame is a good, but not great team. The Irish shouldn't be asked to lay two touchdowns against this version of Navy.
I am 30-17 on my premium/free college football plays this season. My Saturday card is headed by my Triple Star Small Conference Game of the Year. You can find all my plays, packages and records here: https://pregame.com/pros/stephen-nover.
Best of luck and no bad beats!