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Notre Dame football score predictions: Navy vs. Fighting Irish national picks

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•08/25/23•

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notre dame deion colzie
Notre Dame wide receiver Deion Colzie (16) tries to avoid a tackle by Navy safety Rayuan Lane III (18) during a 2022 game. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While not every outlet makes final score predictions for Week 0, several members of the national media gave their thoughts on Notre Dame vs. Navy on Aug. 26.

Here are some national picks for the Irish season-opener.

On3: Notre Dame 41, Navy 17

“I think the Fighting Irish offensive does look explosive. I think they do hit on some big plays downfield. And I also think that [Fighting Irish] front seven, at the end of the day — even if they have a few missed assignments, it’s Week 0 for everybody, even if they aren’t totally on their P’s and Q’s right off the bat — they’re gonna have so much athleticism that I think is going to overwhelm Navy.” — J.D. Pickell

The Sporting News: Fighting Irish 38, Midshipmen 17

“These teams have played in Ireland twice. Notre Dame won 54-27 in 1996 and 50-10 in 2012. Hartman will give the ND offense more down-field firepower, and that will help offset Navy’s option attack. The Midshipmen hung with the Irish last year in a 35-32 shootout where the Irish were limited to just 66 rushing yards. That won’t be the case this time. The Irish’s defense – which held Navy to 3 of 11 on third down last year – will make that down and distance more difficult.  Look for Notre Dame to pull away in the second half, and Hartman will offer an encouraging performance.” — Bill Bender

Bleacher Report: Notre Dame 37, Navy 14

“Though technically a rivalry, this is a lopsided series with Notre Dame boasting a 79-31-1 all-time record. That trend will continue as the programs meet at Aviva Stadium in Dublin to kick off the 2023 season. Finally, we’ll get to see Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman lead the Fighting Irish, too.” — David Kenyon

Athlon Sports: Fighting Irish 34, Midshipmen 17

“Notre Dame jumped out to a 35-13 lead in last year’s win, but Navy rallied to only lose by three (35-32). However, the previous three matchups were decided by 22 points or more. The new play-callers and schemes on both sides add a little mystery to Saturday’s matchup. But even if it takes the Fighting Irish and Hartman a quarter to get on track, this team simply has too much firepower and can get enough stops to pull away in the second half.” — Steven Lassan

ESPN’s SP+: Notre Dame by 32.2

“It will break USC & ND fans’ hearts to learn that SP+ likes both more than Caesars does. ND a LOT more.” — Bill Connelly

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