2023 Week 0 Prediction Poll: Navy vs. (13) Notre Dame

Irish#1

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SouthSideChiDomer said:
I think it will be a close one (ND by 7-13).

It might take the offense a minute to really gel. A couple miscommunications on the line or receivers running the wrong route could be drive altering plays. Hartman and Estime likely means we score a good bit, but fans are going to be left wanting at the end of the game.

As for defense, Golden has a bad record against triple option teams. Combine that with the fact its a new OC, and I could see it taking us a very long time to adjust, and even when we do, Navy having a counter to our adjustment that catches us off guard.

And then there is just the general setting. First game, against a relatively weak opponent, after flying across the Atlantic and spending a few days in a new country. I could see it making us come out flat. On the other hand, I think Navy would be disciplined and able to get themselves up for what is probably one of the 3 biggest games on their schedule.

Talent difference alone should mean ND wins, but not by the margin bookmakers are giving it.
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First game of the season and come out flat? Maybe a few errors (false start, offsides, etc.) as they acclimate, but I will dance naked for you guys if they come out flat.
 
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notredomer23

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Navy's last 3 openers

L Delaware 14-7
L Marshall 49-7
L BYU 55-3

This is certainly impacting the low total.
 
Irish#1

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Some Irish Bloke said:
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
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Well done. You should get a gig writing scouting reports for The Athletic.
 
Luckylucci

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PutuporShutup said:
I would like and be disappointed with this. In a regular schedule the 2's/3's would get next to no prep for Navy. Now that it's first game of the year, the 2's/3's get reps and should be much more prepared than a "non first game of the year". ND plans to use depth this year all over the defense, so I want to see them be succesful (as well all do). Maybe i should say, i expect them to be successful.
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There is a difference when 2’s are mixed and staggered in with the 1’s. Versus when 3’s are mixed and staggered in with the 2’s.

You can be a “deep” team and still see significant drop offs in those varying situations.
 
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Luckylucci said:
There is a difference when 2’s are mixed and staggered in with the 1’s. Versus when 3’s are mixed and staggered in with the 2’s.

You can be a “deep” team and still see significant drop offs in those varying situations.
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no doubt, I just don't expect them to be as confused.
 
Luckylucci

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I don’t really know if they have to be confused in order to give up a couple late scores. A slightly slower reaction due to lack of experience can do it.

Pretty standard for the 3 deep to not be as ready to play as the starters and it not be a big deal. But, I’m glad we’re making it one.

If Drayk Bowen, Preston Zinter, and Ausberry are your LB’s. A few busted plays could happen and the world not end in 2023.
 
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Luckylucci said:
I don’t really know if they have to be confused in order to give up a couple late scores. A slightly slower reaction due to lack of experience can do it.

Pretty standard for the 3 deep to not be as ready to play as the starters and it not be a big deal. But, I’m glad we’re making it one.

If Drayk Bowen, Preston Zinter, and Ausberry are your LB’s. A few busted plays could happen and the world not end in 2023.
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Sure, but if your dline is burnham/, onye, rubio, nana, sprinkle in some ford, hinish, junior. I would hope they can whip the navy 2nd team oline.

With lewis, mickey, henderson, carter, gray in the secondary locking up
 
Ndaccountant

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I swear I will pistol whip the first person who actually complians about week 0 back up defense against a triple option team. There is more value in listening to Driskel's thoughts on China real estate than concerning ourselves with how prepared a freshman linebacker is to face an offense they will not see again for over a year.
 
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Ndaccountant said:
I swear I will pistol whip the first person who actually complians about week 0 back up defense against a triple option team. There is more value in listening to Driskel's thoughts on China real estate than concerning ourselves with how prepared a freshman linebacker is to face an offense they will not see again for over a year.
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A frosh sure, but someone in the system that has assignments should be able to execute on them. We've typically had a big drop in talent from 1st to 2nd team, we have very good talent on the 2nd and some of the 3rd team.

There's been way more prep/film for navy with the 2nd/3rd team than they would typically get. A first college game for a true frosh is always tough, but that's what maybe Bowen, gray, ausbery, and maybe vernon in the 2/3 deep that are true frosh. There aren't a ton. I don't think anyone is expecting them to be greer martini, but we also shouldn't look like the 2009 or 2010 ND defense vs the option even with our second team.
 
WilliamWallace

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With a more balanced team and Sam, I can see ND running away with this one. Couple that with Navy’s QB questions, and the graduation of their top defender from last season, I can see a 52-10 scenario.
 
WilliamWallace

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So what’s everyone’s prediction for the first play from Offense? What would you like to see?

I’d like to see a play action, but my gut says the Estime Train gets its wheels rolling.
 
Some Irish Bloke

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WilliamWallace said:
So what’s everyone’s prediction for the first play from Offense? What would you like to see?

I’d like to see a play action, but my gut says the Estime Train gets its wheels rolling.
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FB dive to Davis Sherwood, show Navy we can beat them at their own game
 
Lberry

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WilliamWallace said:
So what’s everyone’s prediction for the first play from Offense? What would you like to see?

I’d like to see a play action, but my gut says the Estime Train gets its wheels rolling.
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I think Gerald eases into it with an Estime stretch play behind one of the elite tackles. Dudes biggest fear is a 3 and out vs Navy, so probably wants to get ahead of the sticks.
 
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