There is a changing of the guard for Navy at head coach after long time coach Ken Niumatalolo stepped down at the conclusion of last season. After many successful seasons and an 11-2 record in 2019, Navy had won only 11 games over the past three seasons total. Enter Brian Newberry, previously Navy's DC, now the HC. Don't expect to see many changes defensively, as Navy had a pretty stout defense last Season. They were #1 in the AAC 3rd down defense, #2 in the conference in sacks, and #2 nationally in run defense.
Offensively, Newberry tabbed former Kennesaw St OC Grant Chestnut to run the middling Mids option attack, and to slightly revamp their approach. Don't expect the option attack to be abandoned, it will likely still be their bread and butter, but Chestnut will look to add more to the mix. Expect to see a bit more of a passing element to their approach. Luckily for the Irish, the secondary is their strength, so long as the DBs stay disciplined in their responsibilities and don't get caught with their eyes in the backfield trying to decipher the misdirection running attack.
Hopefully Sam Hartman and his young WRs can find success early and often to put some pressure on the Navy offense and get them out of their run and grind the clock approach. Although Navy was a very respectable defense last year, the strength of the ND offense is still up front and their deep stable of RBs, led by Estime. I expect we'll see plenty of Irish points with a multiple offensive approach, keeping Navy off balance. If the offense struggles early, it will be interesting to see Gerad Parker's chops, particularly with his mid-game adjustments. Navy adjusted at halftime last year and got the best of Tommy Rees, and almost led to a dramatic Navy comeback. I expect to see an aggressive defensive approach from Navy again early and often, attempting to stop the run and put pressure on the Irish WRs.
My prediction: ND covers, but barely.
ND 38, Navy 17
