Aug 26 | Navy

[deise mike]

I'm really looking forward to this!

Notre Dame and Navy on August 26, 2023, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, has officially sold out. Over 40,000 international fans are expected to make the trip for the event, including over 39,000 fans directly from the United States which represents a new world record for the largest number of Americans to travel internationally for a single sporting event.

And Notre Dame fan living in Ireland cannot get a ticket for love nor money!!!!

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Lindy's College Football came out today. Picked it up along with Athlon.

Ready for real football. Enough recruiting bullshit.

 

[joxer]

Got 4 tickets seated together folks in Section 505. Lmk.

 

[Huntr]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Does Navy have a halfway decent QB, because if they do, this game could potentially be interesting. If not, it'll be a comfortable win for ND and Navy is going to have a rough season.

 

[ulukinatme]

Does Navy have a halfway decent QB, because if they do, this game could potentially be interesting. If not, it'll be a comfortable win for ND and Navy is going to have a rough season.

Reading the Navy Preview I found online it's saying they shouldn't see a lot of changes defensively. They hired in house for the HC job taking the DC Newberry, and then I guess the LB coach moved to DC.

Offensively there will be a lot of question marks, but there will also be a lot of new changes and wrinkles. They brought in Grant Chesnut from Kennesaw State (Never heard of him) to run the offense. They're going to incorporate a lot more passing it sounds like, and they'll be running out of new formations, but the option will still likely be the bread and butter. Both of Navy's QBs from last year that started are still a bit banged up, Lavatai isn't quite 100% yet from last year, and Arline was injured in Lacrosse. They have two other guys as options, but it sounds like they'll have a QB competition in the Fall to decide. They have one receiver that can stretch the field, the rest are still more adept at blocking corners for the run game. Their Fullback isn't a bruiser at 205, but he's effective and quick so we'll still need a strong presence to protect the A Gap.

Lavatai didn't play against us last year, we faced the backup Arline. If Lavatai is healthy and wins the job again we'll probably have a harder time with him. He was a better passer than Arline prior to the injury.

Summary from: https://collegefootballnews.com/cfn/navy-midshipmen-college-football-preview-2023#:~:text=Navy Midshipmen Preview: Offense&text=In comes Grant Chesnut from,the option is still there.

 

[arrowryan]

Does Navy have a halfway decent QB, because if they do, this game could potentially be interesting. If not, it'll be a comfortable win for ND and Navy is going to have a rough season.

Unless Navy scores 50, this game shouldn’t get interesting

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Unless Navy scores 50, this game shouldn’t get interesting

This almost sounds like an optimistic post, but I just remembered we're not talking in a recruiting thread, so I suppose it's allowed.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I'll be just as nervous as I usually am for the navy game.

Plus is it's the first game and gives ample time to prepare for the triple.

Minus is it's the first game and we could be banged up from the bullshit cuts

 

[ulukinatme]

I'll be just as nervous as I usually am for the navy game.

Plus is it's the first game and gives ample time to prepare for the triple.

Minus is it's the first game and we could be banged up from the bullshit cuts

I wouldn't be so sure that Navy sticks to the triple option under the new OC. He cut his teeth with a strong run offense in the FCS, but he was mostly running Spread formations from what I'm seeing. Based on that Navy Preview they plan on passing a lot more and running out of other formations. The option will still likely be there and may remain their bread and butter, but we may see a more contemporary offense out of Navy than we're used to seeing. It may really depend on if they have the personnel to run Chesnut's Spread. Assume that the chop blocking will stay the same given Navy's undersized linemen.

From the Navy article when Chesnut was hired:

In 2021, Chesnut's offense ranked third in the FCS in rushing yards per game and helped produce All-American quarterback Xavier Shepherd. With Chesnut's play calling, Shepherd led the FCS in rushing touchdowns with 23 and also set school records for passing yards in a season (1,341), passing touchdowns in a season (15) and passing touchdowns in a single game (4).

 

[JamIrish]

Unless Navy scores 50, this game shouldn’t get interesting

With Vegas putting the O/U at 49.5, both teams might not combine for 50 haha. ND opened 20.5 point favorites and some places have them down to 19.5. If the game is closer than expected... I imagine the ND offense doesn't hit 40 total points and the board will immediately question the Parker hire.

 

[ulukinatme]

With Vegas putting the O/U at 49.5, both teams might not combine for 50 haha. ND opened 20.5 point favorites and some places have them down to 19.5. If the game is closer than expected... I imagine the ND offense doesn't hit 40 total points and the board will immediately question the Parker hire.

We scored 35 against them last year with Pyne under Center. Got to imagine we do better than that with Hartman unless we have some turnovers. Then again, if Navy plays the ol' Time of Possession game with a better QB under Center that could change things.

 

[JamIrish]

We scored 35 against them last year with Pyne under Center. Got to imagine we do better than that with Hartman unless we have some turnovers. Then again, if Navy plays the ol' Time of Possession game with a better QB under Center that could change things.

Just checked the handle and money % for the game and currently, 76% of money is on Navy and the points. This is most likely due to sharps expecting the public to take ND to cover. 82% of the money is on the over. So if it stays heavy on Navy and the over, ND most likely covers and game goes under. You always want the money against Notre Dame, it's usually a good sign.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I like the Navy game as an opener.

In October, this game can basically go directly into hell and burn.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I like the Navy game as an opener.

In October, this game can basically go directly into hell and burn.

I'm trying to remember the last good ND team that struggled with Navy. Was it 2017?

The Irish Illustrated guys have been on this for years that the Navy game is only ever an issue if the team is mediocre; when they're good it's never in doubt. No matter when it's situated in the schedule.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I'm trying to remember the last good ND team that struggled with Navy. Was it 2017?

The Irish Illustrated guys have been on this for years that the Navy game is only ever an issue if the team is mediocre; when they're good it's never in doubt. No matter when it's situated in the schedule.

I'd say that's fair.

The service academy game isn't the pain in the ass itself. It's the game the week AFTER you play them that can be tricky.

 

[Reaper97]

I'll be just as nervous as I usually am for the navy game.

Plus is it's the first game and gives ample time to prepare for the triple.

Minus is it's the first game and we could be banged up from the bullshit cuts

Why is it bullshit when Navy does it but not when ND does it?
Every team cuts, it’s just the main way Navy blocks. And at least they do it off the snap, a foot in front of you when you know it’s coming. Big programs do it pulling, running full speed, & often when you don’t know it’s coming.

 

[Reaper97]

I'm trying to remember the last good ND team that struggled with Navy. Was it 2017?

The Irish Illustrated guys have been on this for years that the Navy game is only ever an issue if the team is mediocre; when they're good it's never in doubt. No matter when it's situated in the schedule.

Are we saying last year’s team was good? Because they almost lost in the second half.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Unless Navy scores 50, this game shouldn’t get interesting

If navy scores 50, MF should leave Golden in Dublin.

 

[arrowryan]

We scored 35 against them last year with Pyne under Center. Got to imagine we do better than that with Hartman unless we have some turnovers. Then again, if Navy plays the ol' Time of Possession game with a better QB under Center that could change things.

This.

Navy sold out against the run in the 2nd half last year, making Rees and Pyne look real dumb. If they sell out against the run this year, Hartman might go for 500 and 7. Notre Dame should be incredibly balanced on offense this year, and that what I'm looking forward to seeing the most this year.

 

[stpeteirish]

This.

Navy sold out against the run in the 2nd half last year, making Rees and Pyne look real dumb. If they sell out against the run this year, Hartman might go for 500 and 7. Notre Dame should be incredibly balanced on offense this year, and that what I'm looking forward to seeing the most this year.

Exactly. Something tells me Hartman will be able to execute a quick passing attack to the RB's and TE's.

Of course, there will be a contingent of fans on message boards screaming for us to RTDB since we outweigh their DL by 50 lbs a man. (They're not counting how many men).

 

[irishff1014]

If navy scores 50, MF should leave Golden in Dublin.

If Navy scores 50 not only should Golden be fired but Freeman’s seat becomes fire engine red hot and in dangerous territory.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Are we saying last year’s team was good? Because they almost lost in the second half.

No, last year's team wasn't good hence why they struggled in half the game.

 

[irishff1014]

I personally don’t think we will have a problem with them this year. We will be prepared and fresh for them. We have a QB that will pick them apart. The first play of the game should be a shot down the field.

 

[irishff1014]

This.

Navy sold out against the run in the 2nd half last year, making Rees and Pyne look real dumb. If they sell out against the run this year, Hartman might go for 500 and 7. Notre Dame should be incredibly balanced on offense this year, and that what I'm looking forward to seeing the most this year.

Rees failure to adjust in the second half was not a shining moment. However there were some easy reads the Pyne could have hit that he didn’t. They both contributed negatively to that second half.

 

[arrowryan]

Rees failure to adjust in the second half was not a shining moment. However there were some easy reads the Pyne could have hit that he didn’t. They both contributed negatively to that second half.

You’re right, it was perfect storm. Rees seemingly refused to call plays to beat the blitz, and Pyne was physically unable to beat the blitz.

 

[Giddyup]

Rudolph had said in an interview that he doesn’t teach the ol to cut anymore because he never gets clear answers from the refs on how they’re calling it a penalty or not.

 

[Reaper97]

Rudolph had said in an interview that he doesn’t teach the ol to cut anymore because he never gets clear answers from the refs on how they’re calling it a penalty or not.

Cuts are never penalties, chops are.

A single blocker going straight forward, low, is a cut, and perfectly legal. HS teams all over the country do it.

A blocker cutting, while another blocker is engaged is a chop & illegal. Or cutting blindly from the back or side is chopping & illegal.

A ref will never call a penalty if the ball is snapped & a single blocker immediately goes low on the defender.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Why is it bullshit when Navy does it but not when ND does it?
Every team cuts, it’s just the main way Navy blocks. And at least they do it off the snap, a foot in front of you when you know it’s coming. Big programs do it pulling, running full speed, & often when you don’t know it’s coming.

I understand why Navy does it, but they do it on just about every snap. It's no secret that we have a history of injuries following the Navy game.

It's one thing to do it once in a blue moon during a football game, another when it's consistent chops at the lower leg for 70+ snaps over the entire game.

 

[WilliamWallace]

I believe I asked on one of the I.E. forums awhile back if Navy was changing their offense given the coaching change. If I recall correctly someone either replied they’d be staying with the option, or I found a link stating as much.

On another note, I don’t feel like we will have much trouble with Navy at all. Run the ball to set up the pass, and vice versa. That’s something we’ve been lacking for quite sometime (passing game). And as long as the defense is assignment correct (we have veteran Lb’s), I can see this being over by halftime. We have another factor in our favor, the head coach isn’t Ken Niumatalolo. That dude had our number so many times. He flat out-coached us in so many disappointing performances.