Notre Dame defends top-ten status against one-loss Navy in South Bend originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's difficult to see the Midshipmen keeping up with the Irish offense, even if the option catches Notre Dame in spots.

In series history, Notre Dame holds a commanding edge. The Fighting Irish lead 83-13-1 and have won 12 of the last 13 meetings dating back to 2011. With 98 matchups, it's the most-played rivalry in Notre Dame history, including an unbroken run from 1927 to 2019.

Here's a closer look at Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman's record against service academies heading into the Irish's Week 11 game vs. Navy

Outside of Sieg, the most important recruit on campus will be Hasan, one of the best cornerbacks in the 2027 class. Notre Dame is in a very good spot, and they hope to continue its strong presence in the state of North Carolina. This type of visit could be one that puts them over the top.

Yet the Midshipmen faced a similar situation last season when Notre Dame couldn't afford another loss if it wanted to make the playoff, and then-unbeaten Navy was trying to fight its way into the postseason conversation. The result: Navy had six turnovers and allowed 466 yards as Notre Dame rolled to a 51-14 victory at MetLife Stadium.

In order to help their cause, however, some other teams having underwhelming performances would also be a big help. Fighting Irish fans should not just be rooting for Notre Dame against Navy this weekend. There are several games that could also have huge implications on their playoff picture.