It was a tough weekend for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who suffered their second loss of the season to Miami and most likely slipped out of College Football Playoff contention. The Fighting Irish are now 8-2 heading into a matchup against the Navy Midshipmen in Week 12 of the regular season.
The Midshipmen come in at 6-3 and are facing their second ranked opponent of the season after falling to UCF a few weeks ago. Navy righted the ship last week against SMU after losing three in a row, but will likely be big underdogs again this week.
This contest in Week 12 of the regular season will go down Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium.
Odds Analysis
There is no spread yet, which could have to do with the quarterback situation for both teams. Navy is dealing with injuries at the position and it is currently unclear who will be healthy enough to be under center.
Brandon Wimbush has started nearly every game this season for Notre Dame but didn’t do well in the team’s blowout loss to Miami last time out, throwing for 119 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Ian Book is the backup, so keep an eye on if there will be any movement at that position.
The scoring total could be lower than normal if Notre Dame’s defense can dominate, although the Fighting Irish could put up a boatload of points behind their superior athleticism.
Key Stat
282. That’s how many yards Malcolm Perry rushed for last week in the Navy’s win over SMU. He also ran for four touchdowns in his first career start at quarterback.
The sophomore, who had been playing running back for the Navy prior to last weekend, entered in relief of starter Zach Abey who was out with an injured shoulder. Unfortunately, now Perry is currently listed as questionable after spraining his ankle late in the game.
The Midshipmen rank first in the nation for rushing yards a game, averaging 369.8. However, with questions at quarterback this week, it will remains to be seen if they will present a challenge for Notre Dame on Saturday.
Player To Watch
Josh Adams — Notre Dame’s premier running back joined an elite club this past weekend, becoming only the sixth player at the school to rush for 3,000 yards in his career. Adams has amassed 1,231 yards on the season and is averaging eight yards a carry this year.
Although he reached a milestone against Miami, it was a bad day all around for the Fighting Irish, including Adams, who finished with just 40 yards on 16 carries. He will be eager to get back on track this week against the Midshipmen.
Adams is the type of player capable of being a difference-maker and has finished with 150 yards or more in five games this season. He faces a Navy defense this week that is allowing 165.8 rushing yards a game.
Free ATS Pick
Notre Dame seems out of national championship contention but can still hit a prestigious bowl game. The Midshipmen are a unique team with their ground game but won’t be able to compete in this one.
Take the Fighting Irish to bounce back in style with an easy win over an outmanned Navy squad. Check in to see where the spread ends up because this one will have a double-digit margin of victory, but it depends where the line sits.
The “under” could possibly be the play as Navy will have trouble scoring regularly in this one.
College Football Odds: Notre Dame 37, Navy 13
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