Notre Dame vs Army preview of two dynamic defenses and run games

 

BRONX, NY. -- The annual Shamrock Series features Army as Notre Dame's opponent for the 52nd meeting.

As we get closer to Notre Dame's 11th game of the season, it's important to note that Army has gone undefeated this season, while only throwing 51 passes.

That stat speaks a lot about the Black Knights offensive game plan, which will probably stay the same in their game against the Irish.

Notre Dame has 15 interceptions this season. So if you're Army, why throw the ball against the 6th ranked total defense in the country? Led by their Quarterback Bryson Daily, I full expect Army to continue running the ball at a high rate as they have all season and I don't blame them.

"They are a vertical, physical, power running team, and they are good with getting three yards, four yards, three yards, four yards. If you don't get them behind the chains, they're going to continue to do it for 11, 12, 15, play drives," Head Coach Marcus Freeman said.

Army has ran the ball over 400 times, for 3,000+ yards, and 35 touchdowns. Notre Dame's defense is aware and want to do whatever it takes to prevent that kind of production on Saturday night.

It's so important to get some negative yardage plays, one-yard gains, we cannot allow them to stay in rhythm as they go down the field," Freeman added.

"It's really quite simple, right? They don't go backwards. They execute really well. They play fast, and you have to match. It doesn't matter who you play. You have to match that tempo, that speed and obviously you have to be assignment sound," Defensive Coordinator AL Golden mentioned.

The Irish are 14-point favorites in week 11 of their season. An overall record of 39-8-4 against Army. 15-5-3 when playing Army at Yankee Stadium.