Let's Take One at a Time

Here we are in November at 6-2 and facing 4 solid opponents in the coming weeks. If we run the table we end up in a high profile BCS bowl against a top tier team. If we lose one or two, something like the Gator Bowl is likely. Should be an exciting month.

Navy comes into town tomorrow with impressive stats against a tough schedule and its well deserved reputation for discipline, spirit and perseverance. A very good team but they are not going to win this year. The Irish have too much firepower on offense and Navy will not be able to outscore us. Michael Floyd is back and I do not think one can overestimate the impact he has for the offense. I still feel we would have beaten Michigan and possibly caught USC had Michael been on the field at the end of those games AND probably have won a couple more last year as well. He really creates opportunities for the whole offense because we stretch the field and create matchup problems for defenses. Even though he will not play every down, you can expect that all our receivers will have a good day. No team can cover our big 3 consistently well. I think we may see Jimmy throw for 400 yards tomorrow and the run game will look good because the Navy defense cannot keep 8 men in the box. Bottom line, we will score a lot.

Our defense is another story. Charlie has genuine respect and admiration for Navy and will have the team humble and ready. Navy will move the ball but they take a long time to get down the field. We played them pretty solid (except for the last 5 minutes!) last year and I expect we will again. Should be a fun game to watch. The weather looks like it will be spectacular.

We will beat the spread of 11 this week. Time of possession by Navy will make it hard for us to get enough plays for more than 30 points but I expect we will march into the end zone and not have to settle for many field goals.

Therefore my prediction is ND 35, Navy 20.

Go Irish!