Notre Dame vs Navy Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 9 on 10/31/2026

In Week 9 of the 2026 College Football season, the Navy Midshipmen will travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to challenge the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Navy enters this game with a 2-5 record, struggling on the road with an 0-4 record. The Midshipmen will seek to improve their performance against a top-ranked opponent.

Notre Dame, ranked #5 in the AP Poll and #6 in the Coaches Poll, brings a strong 6-1 record into this contest. The Fighting Irish have been nearly unbeatable at home with a perfect 3-0 record. Playing at a neutral site, they aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their position as one of the nation's elite teams.

Broadcast live on ESPN, this game promises to be an intriguing encounter as Navy looks to overcome their road woes against a formidable Notre Dame squad. With the odds heavily favoring the Fighting Irish, Navy will need to rely on their rushing attack, which has been a bright spot in their season. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle under the afternoon skies of Massachusetts.

Notre Dame vs Navy At a Glance (Week 9)

• Game Location: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA
• Game Timing: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 12:00 PM
• TV Broadcast: The game will be aired on ESPN
• Notre Dame Odds: Moneyline set at -10000; Spread at -30.5 (-108)
• Navy Record: Current season record stands at 2-5
• Notre Dame Rankings: AP Rank #5 and Coaches Poll Rank #6

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Dominating the Gridiron at Home

Offensive Powerhouse

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have shown a formidable offensive performance this season. With 288 points scored, they rank 9th in the nation, a testament to their high-scoring games. Their passing game, accumulating 1,832 yards, places them 41st, while their rushing yards of 1,297 rank them 47th.

Leading the charge, quarterback CJ Carr has been instrumental with 1,639 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, ranking 1st in the team. The rushing attack is led by Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr., who together have combined for over 800 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.

Defensive Strength

Defensively, Notre Dame has been solid, allowing just 94 points, ranking 44th. Their pass rush has been effective, with 15 sacks placing them 14th in the nation. The defense's ability to create turnovers is evident with 8 interceptions, ranking 9th, and 8 fumbles recovered, ranking an impressive 4th.

This strong defensive performance has contributed significantly to their winning record, ensuring that opponents struggle to find offensive success against them. Their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks and force turnovers has been a key component of their defensive strategy.

Recent Performance

Notre Dame's recent games highlight their dominance, with a 4-1 record in their last five outings. A notable victory came against Stanford, with a resounding 58-7 win, showcasing their offensive and defensive capabilities. However, a narrow loss to BYU, 28-24, serves as a reminder of the challenges they face.

The team's resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks will be crucial as they continue through the season. Their recent performances at home have been particularly strong, adding to their confidence as they prepare for upcoming games.

Key Players

Wide receiver Jordan Faison leads the team with 34 receptions and 451 yards, contributing 4 touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays is crucial for the Irish's passing attack. Tight end Cooper Flanagan, with 6 receptions and 2 touchdowns, adds depth to the receiving corps.

On the defensive side, the team's ability to recover fumbles and create interceptions has been aided by standout performances from their secondary. The defensive unit's cohesion and aggressive playstyle have been instrumental in their success.

Injury Concerns

Injuries could be a factor, with key players like Cooper Flanagan questionable due to a hamstring issue. Quincy Porter is out for the season with a knee injury, which may impact the team's depth at wide receiver. Addressing these injuries will be essential for maintaining their competitive edge.

Notre Dame Betting Trends

• SU - After Win: 24-2 (92.3%) over the last 26 games.
• SU - All Games: 26-3 (89.7%) over the last 29 games.
• SU - As Favorite: 26-3 (89.7%) over the last 29 games.
• SU - Totals ≥ 50: 13-0 (100.0%) over the last 13 games.
• SU - Home Games: 24-3 (88.9%) over the last 27 games.

Navy Midshipmen Set Sail for a Challenging Game

Offensive Breakdown

The Navy Midshipmen have a strong running game, ranking 4th in the nation with 2,163 rushing yards this season. This ground attack has been their cornerstone, consistently driving their offensive efforts. Their passing game, however, lags significantly with only 836 yards, placing them at 129th.

Jackson Gutierrez leads the passing game with 692 yards and 7 touchdowns across 7 games. Despite limited passing attempts, his efficiency has been commendable with just one interception. Braxton Woodson, the backup quarterback, has contributed 144 yards without any touchdown passes.

Key Offensive Players

Michael Barrow stands out in the rushing department, having accumulated 439 yards and one touchdown in 7 games. His performance is supported by Vic Listorti, who adds another 228 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Together, they form a formidable duo in the Midshipmen's backfield.

Truman Brasfield is the leading receiver with 174 yards and 2 touchdowns on 4 receptions. Tight end Jordan Collins has also been impactful, with 212 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. These players offer the main targets in Navy's limited passing offense.

Defensive Performance

Defensively, the Midshipmen have struggled, allowing 204 points this season, ranking them 115th. Despite this, their pass rush has been effective with 15 sacks, placing them 14th. They have also shown a knack for interceptions, securing 4 so far, which is 5th best in the nation.

The defense will need to tighten up to support their strong running game and give the team a better chance to convert their rushing yards into wins. The ability to recover fumbles, however, remains an area for improvement as they have yet to recover one this season.

Team Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: Last 19 Games → 16-3 (84.2%)
• O/U - Home Games: Last 6 Games → 6-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - After Win: Last 21 Games → 17-4 (81.0%)
• SU - Home Games: Last 17 Games → 14-3 (82.4%)
• O/U - Totals ≥ 50: Last 15 Games → 12-3 (80.0%)

As they prepare for their upcoming game against Notre Dame, the Midshipmen will look to leverage their rushing prowess and defensive capabilities to challenge their opponent. Despite being 29.5-point underdogs, their betting trends suggest that they have the potential to surprise.

Notre Dame vs Navy Week 9 Prediction: Notre Dame -30.5

Notre Dame is set to cover the spread of -30.5 against Navy. Ranked #5 in the AP poll, Notre Dame boasts a 6-1 record this season, including an unbeaten home record. With a powerful offense scoring an average of 41 points per game in their last three contests against Navy, expect them to control the tempo of the game.

Navy, currently 2-5 this season, has struggled on the road with a 0-4 record. Their defense, ranked 115th in points against, has allowed an average of 49 points per game in their last two outings. This could allow Notre Dame's offense to have a field day, putting up big numbers against a vulnerable Navy defense.

Historically, Notre Dame has had the upper hand in this matchup, covering the spread in their last three meetings, including a 49-10 win last year. Given their offensive firepower and Navy's defensive struggles, Notre Dame covering a 30.5-point spread is likely. The Fighting Irish's strong defense, allowing only 94 points this season, adds more confidence to this pick.

Considering Notre Dame's efficiency on both sides of the ball, a final score prediction of Notre Dame 45 - Navy 10 is reasonable. This score not only covers the spread but also stays under the total points, aligning with recent betting trends.

• Notre Dame vs Navy Prediction: Notre Dame -30.5
• Notre Dame vs Navy Score: Notre Dame 45 - Navy 10

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