Overview

The Army Black Knights travel to Yankee Stadium to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 39-8-4 and has won the last 15 matchups. In this year’s ranked game, we will highlight the top players, key matchups, and the factors that will determine the winner of this rivalry game.

Why This Game Is Different

There are two main reasons this year’s game stands out. First, Army is undefeated. If their winning streak continues, it will mark their first undefeated season since 1945. Despite this historical start, Army has only beaten two teams with records over .500—Lehigh and East Carolina. A win over Notre Dame would likely secure Army a spot in the 12-team playoff.

For Notre Dame, this game is about achieving their first playoff appearance under head coach Marcus Freeman. The Fighting Irish have been dominant since their upset loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. With quality wins over Texas A&M, Louisville, Navy, and Georgia Tech, Notre Dame is in prime position. If they win out this season, they can secure one of the top playoff seeds.

Notre Dame’s Defensive Dominance

Notre Dame’s success this season begins with their defense. The Irish rank third in points allowed per game, giving up only 11.4 on average. They are top 10 in interceptions, with 15, and have only allowed six passing touchdowns all season. Additionally, they give up just 150.9 passing yards per game.

However, their defense has shown vulnerability against the run. While they rank in the top 10 with only seven rushing touchdowns allowed, they have not faced a rushing offense like Army’s.

Army’s Ground Game

Army leads the nation in rushing yards per game, with 334.9, and ranks in the top five in rushing touchdowns, with 34. The Black Knights’ offense is led by quarterback Bryson Daily, who has had over 30 carries in each of the last two games. Running back Kanye Udoh is another key contributor to their dominant ground game.

Army’s Defensive Strength

Army also boasts an impressive defense. They rank second in fewest points allowed and fewest rushing touchdowns conceded. A key matchup will be how Army contains Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. In his most recent game against Virginia, Love rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries.

Notre Dame’s Offensive Questions

If Army contains the run, Notre Dame will need to rely on quarterback Riley Leonard. Leonard has yet to throw for 250 yards in a game this season. Additionally, Notre Dame does not have a single receiver with over 400 yards on the season. While Leonard’s passing has been inconsistent, he is a threat on the ground. He ranks second on the team in rushing yards, with 641. Notre Dame has won every game where Leonard was effective running the ball.

Coaching Performance – CAPE Ratings

A review of last year’s coaching performance using the CAPE rating provides insights into these teams’ consistency against expectations. Army head coach Jeff Monken had his team outperforming spreads by an average of 1.3 points per game. Meanwhile, Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame team exceeded spreads by an average of 6.6 points per game, finishing 15th in the CAPE rankings.

Key Questions

Will Army end their losing streak and position themselves as contenders for the Group of Five spot in the College Football Playoff? Or will Marcus Freeman lead Notre Dame to their first playoff appearance since 2020? Find out with University Foot-Ball.

Author – Tarohn Finley