It's an annual matchup, but stakes have never been this high. No. 24 Navy enters clutching onto history, marking its first 6-0 in over four decades. Meanwhile, one more loss for No. 12 Notre Dame could put its College Football Playoff chances in jeopardy. Nonetheless, we've got an intense meeting on the docket. 

FanDuel is offering the Irish as 12.5-point road favorites after covering three-straight spreads and going 5-2 ATS across the year, all of which were favored lines. Be warned, the Midshipmen have also sailed through five straight spreads. I'm expecting plenty of back-and-forth on this battlefield. 

Notre Dame vs Navy Odds

Odds as of October 22 from FanDuel

Notre Dame vs Navy Picks – Week 9

Both groups are like-minded offensively, leaning on the same rushing mentality. Navy rallies up the third-most rushing yardage in the nation (277.2), resting solely on the shoulders of quarterback Black Horvath (621 YDs, 10 TDs). In comparison, Notre Dame's 209.6 YPG is consistent enough to rank 12th. However, the Irish split the backfield with a mobile signal-caller in Riley Leonard (456 YDs, 10 TDs) and pass the ball off to running back, Jeremiah Love (462 YDs, 7 TDs). Whichever ground attack can break through the barrier will be the victor of Saturday afternoon's tilt. 

Despite the jersey hanging in my closet shining with tinges of navy blue and gold, I have been far from biased in my Notre Dame bets this season. Typically, I don't trust the one-dimensional abilities of the Irish and haven't been afraid to vocalize my concerns about Leonard's presence in the pocket.  

Yet, butting heads with a team that is equally as predictable gives me a bit more faith the Irish can pull ahead. Especially given the small, but noticeable preparation from their earlier schedule. Navy has defeated a non-threatening group, with either Memphis or Air Force being considered its hardest opponents. While Notre Dame hasn't been too tested, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Louisville and Texas A&M at least offer some competition. 

The Irish also hold the better run defense, allowing 102.7 yards on average through their last three outings compared to the Midshipmen giving up 183.7 yards in the same span. 

Notre Dame vs Navy Week 9 Pick: Notre Dame -12.5 (-112)

*picks made as of Tuesday, October 22 at 1:30 pm ET

Notre Dame vs Navy News

Sometimes no news is the best news and that's the case for Notre Dame, who finally have no new injuries to declare. The Irish's injury list is long enough, already losing five starters to season-ending injuries. In fact, it may be positive news on the horizon as starting kicker, Mitch Jeter, has been moved to questionable for Saturday. The senior hurt his hip during a kickoff against Stanford and did not play in last week's Georgia Tech win. He will be monitored throughout the week.

Notre Dame vs Navy Prop Bet: Navy +3.5 First quarter (-122)

Notorious for slow starts, Notre Dame has failed to hold a lead following the first quarter in five of its seven games this season. Navy sits third in the nation averaging 12.2 points in the first quarter. Again, I don't think the Midshipmen have been challenged. However, that doesn't alter the fact that the Irish take awhile to get set into game mode. 

Notre Dame vs Navy Betting Trends