As Navy week approaches for Notre Dame football, the Fighting Irish are gearing up for what promises to be a unique clash. Historically, Notre Dame has dominated the series, holding an 80-13-1 record in their 93 prior meetings. However, this year's game is expected to unfold differently, largely due to Navy's exceptional performance this season.

The Midshipmen enter Week 9 with an unblemished record in their first six games, boasting an impressive average point differential of +25 per game. Their most decisive victory came in a 51-17 triumph over Charlotte, reflecting a +34 point gap, while their narrowest win was by a +12 margin in a 56-44 contest against Memphis.

Navy's offense has been particularly potent, averaging 41 points per game. They hit their peak scoring in ties of 49 points against Bucknell and Memphis and managed 37 points against Charlotte. Their standout offensive effort was in the Memphis game, where they amassed 566 yards—representing 22% of their total yardage for the season—while their lowest output came just last week with 288 yards against Charlotte.

The Midshipmen’s passing game has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their games against Memphis and UAB, where they notched 205 and 225 passing yards respectively. Typically, their passing yards have ranged between 112 and 134 per game, with accuracy following a similar pattern.

On the ground, Navy's rushing attack has been vital but inconsistent. They achieved a season-high 361 rushing yards against Memphis but dipped to 227 yards the following week against UAB. A rebound saw them securing 329 rushing yards against Air Force, only to record 171 yards in their win over Charlotte. A primary contributor is quarterback Blake Horvath, who leads the team with 79 carries for 621 yards. Running back Alex Tecza follows with 49 attempts for 306 yards. Overall, five Navy players have surpassed the 100-yard mark in rushing this season.

Conversely, Navy's defensive performance has shown vulnerabilities. Their worst game defensively coincided with their best offensive outing against Memphis, during which they conceded 659 total yards—amounting to 28% of their season's total conceded yards. Breakdown of that figure includes 385 yards allowed through the air and 274 on the ground.

Despite the strengths Navy has shown, particularly on offense, the quality of their opponents thus far does raise questions as they prepare to face a team like Notre Dame, which possesses more talent and depth. Notre Dame’s running game could exploit Navy's defensive frailties, the areas where Notre Dame excels.

Overall, although Navy has been formidable this season, facing Notre Dame represents a different tier of challenge. While upsets are always possible, the likelihood suggests that Notre Dame maintains the upper hand in this long-standing rivalry.