Head to head: Navy vs. Notre Dame

Next up for Navy is Notre Dame. Today GoMids.com compares different critical team areas of Navy and Notre Dame and indicates which team has the edge.

Navy	AREA	Notre Dame	COMMENTS
X	Navy rushing offense vs. Notre Dame rushing defense		Navy has ranked at the top of the nation in rushing almost the entire season. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada leads the Mids picking up 82 yards a game. Notre Dame is 93rd in the nation in rushing defense.
	Navy passing offense vs. Notre Dame passing defense	X	Navy rarely passes and averages just 107 yards a game through the air. Notre Dame is 13th in the nation in passing defense.
X	Notre Dame rushing offense vs. Navy rushing defense		Notre Dame's rushing attack has been pitiful this season. The Irish average less than 35 yards per game TOTAL on the ground. Navy's rushing defense is ranked No. 88 nationally but should be able slow the struggling Irish attack.
E	Notre Dame passing offense vs. Navy passing defense	E	Even. The Mids have been almost defenseless against the pass all season giving up over 280 yards a game through the air. Division I-AA Delaware passed for over 430 yards last week against the Mids. Notre Dame has struggled as well throwing the ball. The Irish are 112th nationally in passing offense and average just 154 yards a game.
E	Special Teams	E	Navy's Joey Bullen has connected on 7 of 11 field goals this season. Notre Dame's Brandon Walker has made 4 of 7 field goals. Notre Dame has the edge in net punting but Navy has a better kick/punt return units.
X	Coaching		Navy's Paul Johnson has built the Mids into a regular bowl team. Notre Dame's Charlie Weis has coached the Irish to one of their worst seasons in history.

Prediction:

Navy 38
Notre Dame 27