### Notre Dame and Navy Clash Holds Playoff Implications

The storied rivalry between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen takes on added significance this year as it directly impacts the College Football Playoff landscape. The Fighting Irish, carrying a 6-1 record and sitting at No. 12 in the Week 9 AP Top 25 Poll, can't afford another loss if they hope to keep their postseason dreams alive. On the other hand, the Navy Midshipmen, undefeated with a 6-0 record and ranked No. 24, aim to achieve their first 7-0 start since 1978.

The highly anticipated matchup is set to kick off at noon from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+. Notre Dame opened as the clear favorite, with the betting line moving to as high as Notre Dame -13.5. The total points forecast is set at 51.5 as of Thursday's update.

According to the latest odds from ESPN BET, the spread has Notre Dame favored by 13.5 points. The moneyline odds stand at Notre Dame -550 and Navy +380, with the first-half moneyline set at Notre Dame -375 and Navy +260. Whether these odds will hold or shift as the game approaches remains to be seen, but it's clear that the stakes are high for both teams.

The outcome of this contest could significantly shake up the playoff picture, making it one of the most critical games on this weekend's college football slate.