Notre Dame and Navy Face off in Season-Opening College Football Classic
Saturday, August 26, marked the season-opening game for the 2023 college football season, and it was a matchup filled with history and tradition. The No. 13 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the Navy Midshipmen in the third Aer Lingus College Football Classic held in Ireland. This was the 94th meeting between the two rivals, with Notre Dame holding a dominant 79-13-1 record in the all-time series.
Both teams were no strangers to playing in Ireland, as they had faced off in the country twice before, in 1996 and 2012, resulting in Notre Dame victories. The Fighting Irish were heavy favorites to add to their win total, coming off a successful 9-4 season under coach Marcus Freeman. On the other hand, Navy was looking to bounce back from a series of losing seasons and began their first season under new coach Brian Newberry.
Notre Dame’s dominance in the series was evident, with the Irish winning five straight against Navy and even holding a record-setting 43-game win streak from 1964 to 2007. However, Navy had a chance to cause an upset and put a dent in Notre Dame’s favoritism.
Throughout the game, Notre Dame faced a scare as Navy played with determination and resilience. Freeman’s team, known for close scrapes and occasional upsets, had their hands full with Navy’s perseverance. Despite the spread being more than 20 points in Notre Dame’s favor, the Midshipmen managed to keep the game close and gave the Fighting Irish a late-season scare. In the end, Notre Dame prevailed, winning the game by at least a couple of touchdowns, but Navy’s performance left an impression.
The Notre Dame vs. Navy game was a part of week 0, a time when unpredictable and unusual things tend to happen in college football. This was further amplified by the game being played overseas in Ireland, setting the stage for potential surprises. Although the outcome favored Notre Dame, the circumstances led to speculation about the spread, with some suggesting Navy’s ability to cover a spread with a hook that sat at more than 20 points.
In the end, Notre Dame’s victory added to their impressive record against Navy. The game showcased the rich history and intense rivalry between the two programs. With their win, the Fighting Irish started the season on a high note, while Navy looked to regroup and build under their new coach.
Overall, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic provided an exciting start to the 2023 college football season, leaving fans eager for more thrilling matchups throughout the year.