Notre Dame Defense Will Face A Challenge From Navy

Notre Dame is set for its annual matchup against the Navy triple option, although this year's version will have some new wrinkles. The Fighting Irish defense, led by coordinator Al Golden, will need to be on top of its game against the Midshipmen, who are going to pull out all the stops in hopes of generating big plays against Notre Dame.

The on paper matchup with Navy is always interesting to look at, because the nature of their offense skews raw numbers heavily in two directions (good for the run, bad for the pass). You have to dive into some of the finer details to get a true glimpse of how the matchup looks.

Let's look at how the Notre Dame defense stacks up against the Navy offense.

Notre Dame Rush Defense vs. Navy

Advantage: Navy

Notre Dame shut down the Navy run defense in 2021, the only season Marcus Freeman was in charge of the defense. The Irish held Navy to just 166 rush yards and 3.0 yards per attempt in a 34-6 victory that season. Last year the defense had some really good moments, but also made too many mistakes and allowed gash runs, which allowed Navy to rack up 32 points, 255 rushing yards and 5.5 yards per play.

Notre Dame's run defense improved in the second half of last season, but it was still too inconsistent. That must change in 2023, and it has to begin against the Midshipmen.

Interior defenders Rylie Mills, Howard Cross III, Gabriel Rubio and Jason Onye all need to be on top of their game. Getting linebacker JD Bertrand back after he missed the game a season ago should help as well, but Notre Dame will need to be disciplined and tackle well against the Midshipman option attack.

Navy returns four starting offensive linemen and top rusher Daba Fofana, who racked up 133 yards against the Irish last season. If you want to see if the Notre Dame defense has improved, how they handle Fofana will arguably be the biggest tell.

Notre Dame Pass Defense vs Navy

Advantage: Notre Dame

Scuttlebutt out of Navy's fall camp is that they are going to put the ball in the air a bit more this season. That's certainly something we saw from offensive coordinator Grant Chestnut, who ran the Kennesaw State offense the last eight seasons. It's still a triple option offense, but there will be more quick game calls and action throws.

The principles for the Notre Dame defense will be the same. That is shutting down the play-action deep shots and attempts to create big plays. Being disciplined in coverage is a big key to that, but when Notre Dame has throttled the Navy offense in past seasons it has done a very good job of pressuring the quarterback. That will once again be an important part of this matchup.

Notre Dame Scoring Defense vs Navy

Advantage: Notre Dame

I expect Chestnut to improve the Navy offense, but how much remains to be seen. Navy returns a lot from last year's offense, but quarterback remains a question and the skill talent doesn't match what it's been in past seasons. Four returning starters helps, but Navy has a long way to go to be good after last season's offensive debacle.

Notre Dame dominates this part of the matchup outside of red zone numbers and turnovers. Both are incredibly important against Navy. Holding the Middies to field goals is of the utmost importance, and forcing turnovers against a team that wants to shorten the game is incredibly impactful.

Notre Dame must be more consistent on defense in this matchup and it has to be disruptive. Hopefully Golden has a gameplan that is going to attack the Navy option, and if the front seven can dominate at the point of attack and limit the mistakes the Irish should roll in this matchup.

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