The 2023 regular season kicks off on Saturday as the 13th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish battle the Navy Midshipmen during Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland. The Fighting Irish, 9-4 in 2022, have won five straight in the series and 10 of the last 11. They also lead the all-time series, which began in 1927, 81-13-1. The Midshipmen, 4-8 a year ago, including a 4-4 mark in the American Athletic Conference, last beat Notre Dame 28-27 on Nov. 5, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
The game from Aviva Stadium will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET. Navy had the fourth-best rushing offense in the country in 2022, averaging 241.2 yards per game, while Notre Dame averaged 188.9. The Fighting Irish are favored by 20.5 points in the latest Navy vs. Notre Dame odds, while the over-under for total points scored is 49. Before making any Notre Dame vs. Navy picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Navy vs. Notre Dame and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Notre Dame vs. Navy:
- Notre Dame vs. Navy spread: Notre Dame -20.5
- Notre Dame vs. Navy over/under: 49 points
- Notre Dame vs. Navy money line: Navy +858, Notre Dame -1518
- NAVY: The Midshipmen were 7-5 ATS last season
- ND: The Fighting Irish have gone over the game total in each of their last seven games
- Notre Dame vs. Navy picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Notre Dame can cover
Notre Dame is ready to debut Sam Hartman, the touted transfer from Wake Foret, at quarterback. The Fighting Irish also helped fortify their already solid defense with the addition of two graduate transfers in defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste and nickel back Thomas Harper. Jean-Baptiste, who played at Ohio State the past four seasons, recorded four sacks for the Buckeyes in 2022. He made 19 tackles, including nine solo, with one forced fumble. In his four seasons at Ohio State, he finished with 53 tackles, including 25 solo, with eight sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.
Harper has also earned his way into the starting lineup after playing the past four seasons at Oklahoma State. As a member of the Cowboys, he finished with 30 tackles, including 17 solo, with one interception and two pass breakups. He made eight stops, including five solo, in Oklahoma State's 41-31 win over Texas Tech on Oct. 8. In four seasons with the Cowboys, he finished with 93 tackles, including 64 solo and two interceptions. See which team to pick here.
Why Navy can cover
The Midshipmen return a number of key players from last year's squad, including senior quarterback Tai Lavatai. This will be the third year in which he will see action for Navy. Last year, he completed 42 of 91 passes (46.2%) for 787 yards and five touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. He also carried 115 times for 309 yards (2.7 average) and five touchdowns. If he falters, waiting in the wings is sophomore Blake Horvath.
Also back is junior fullback Daba Fofana, the team's leading rusher. In 12 games a year ago, Fofana rushed 186 times for 769 yards (4.1 average) and six touchdowns. One of his best rushing games came against Notre Dame in November. In that contest, he carried 15 times for 133 yards (8.9 average) and one touchdown. He had a long run of 50 yards. See which team to pick here.
How to make Navy vs. Notre Dame picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total. In fact, it says Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai will rush for 70 yards and a score, while Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman will throw for over 270 yards and two touchdowns. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Navy vs. Notre Dame, and which side of the spread cashes in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Navy vs. Notre Dame spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer simulation model that's up nearly $2,500 on its college football picks since its inception, and find out.
