Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction and Picks - November 8, 2025
Saturday evening on the college gridiron, and we have a Navy vs Notre Dame prediction locked and loaded for you. Navy comes in off a 31-17 road loss to North Texas, which dropped them to 7-1 on the year. The Fighting Irish come in at 6-2 on the year and they are off a 25-10 road win over Boston College. Notre Dame on last year's meeting on the road by a score of 51-14. It as their 7th win in a row in the series. Read on to see our Navy vs Notre Dame prediction.
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Navy Suffers First Loss Of The Year
Navy enters South Bend at 7-1, but the Midshipmen are coming off their first loss of the season, a 31-17 setback at North Texas. Quarterback Blake Horvath had a rough outing through the air, throwing for just 80 yards with two interceptions, but he continued to be the engine of the offense on the ground, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown. Running back Brandon Chatman added a 31-yard scoring run, but outside of those flashes, Navy struggled to sustain drives against a physical Mean Green defense. The triple-option attack remains the nation’s top rushing unit, averaging over 317 yards per game, but the loss highlighted how vulnerable the Midshipmen can be when forced to throw.
The strength of Navy’s offense lies in its ability to control tempo and wear down opponents. Horvath has already eclipsed 900 rushing yards this season, and backs like Alex Tecza and Eli Heidenreich provide depth and versatility. Heidenreich, in particular, has been a reliable receiver out of the backfield, giving Navy a wrinkle that can catch defenses off guard. Against Notre Dame’s stout run defense, however, the Midshipmen will need to be nearly flawless in execution. Sustaining long drives and converting third downs will be critical if they want to keep the Irish offense off the field.
Defensively, Navy has been solid but not spectacular, allowing 24 points per game and ranking middle of the pack nationally. Linebacker Luke Pirris and defensive lineman Landon Robinson have been key playmakers, but the unit has struggled against more balanced offenses. North Texas exposed the secondary, and Notre Dame’s passing game poses an even bigger challenge. Navy’s best hope is to force turnovers and limit explosive plays, but against a team with the depth and athleticism of the Irish, that’s easier said than done.
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Notre Dame Has Won 6 In A Row
Notre Dame comes in at 6-2 after grinding out a 25-10 win over Boston College, a game that was closer than expected until running back Jeremiyah Love broke free for a 94-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Love finished with 136 rushing yards and two scores, continuing his push as one of the nation’s most dynamic backs. Quarterback CJ Carr was efficient, throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover, spreading the ball to multiple receivers including Jordan Faison and Will Pauling, who each made big plays downfield. While the Irish struggled with special teams miscues, the offense showed its ability to strike quickly when needed.
The Irish offense has been balanced all season, averaging nearly 38 points per game with a mix of explosive runs and vertical passing. Love’s consistency on the ground opens up opportunities for Carr to attack defenses through the air, and Notre Dame’s offensive line has been strong in both protection and run blocking. Against Navy, the challenge will be staying patient against a team that thrives on limiting possessions. If Notre Dame can avoid mistakes and capitalize on the opportunities they get, their talent advantage should shine through.
Defensively, Notre Dame has been one of the better units in the country, allowing under 20 points per game and ranking among the top 15 nationally against the run. Linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Drayk Bowen have been disruptive, while the secondary has shown improvement after early-season struggles. The key against Navy will be discipline—staying assignment-sound against the triple-option and preventing Horvath from breaking big runs. Marcus Freeman’s defense handled this matchup well last year, and if they can replicate that performance, the Irish should be able to control the game.
Navy vs Notre Dame Pick
Navy vs Notre Dame Spread Pick
- Navy +26.5 (1 Unit)
Navy +26.5 has appeal because the Midshipmen’s triple-option attack is built to shorten games and limit possessions, which makes it difficult for opponents to run away on the scoreboard. Blake Horvath has already proven he can grind out yards on the ground, and with Brandon Chatman and Alex Tecza rotating in, Navy has the depth to keep fresh legs pounding away at Notre Dame’s front. Even if the Irish defense is strong, the style of play naturally chews clock and reduces the number of scoring opportunities, which is exactly what you want when backing a big underdog.
On top of that, Navy’s defense has been steady enough to avoid complete collapses, holding opponents to around 24 points per game. They may bend against Notre Dame’s balanced offense, but they’ve shown resilience and the ability to force turnovers at key moments. Combine that with the discipline and execution that comes with the triple-option, and Navy has a realistic path to staying within the number. Notre Dame is the more talented team, but covering nearly four touchdowns against a ball-control opponent is a tall order, making the +26.5 worth a look.
Navy vs Notre Dame Over/Under Pick
- Under 56 (2 Units)
The under 56 looks like the right angle because Navy’s triple-option naturally slows games down, chewing clock and limiting possessions, while Notre Dame’s defense has been one of the best in the country against the run. The Irish offense can strike quickly, but Navy’s style forces opponents into fewer opportunities, and the Midshipmen themselves aren’t built to score in bunches. With both teams leaning on the ground game and defenses capable of tightening in the red zone, this matchup sets up more as a grind than a shootout, keeping the total under the number.
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