How to watch Navy vs. Notre Dame on TV or online, plus 3 things to know

Notre Dame kept winning even after losing its starting quarterback and starting running back, but the lack of depth and talent finally caught up to the Irish in a close loss at Clemson last weekend. That said, Brian Kelly’s team played very poorly in the first half and still nearly won on the road with a depleted roster, and the potential for a run to the College Football Playoff isn’t dead yet.

Now, the Irish must make sure they avoid a letdown against Navy. And that’s important, given that Navy has beaten Notre Dame before in potential letdown situations. This might be Navy’s best team yet, and the Midshipmen are 4-0 with a chance to win The American in their first year in the conference.

Notre Dame is still clearly the better team, and despite the injuries, the Irish have the defense capable to stifle the Navy triple option attack. After all, Notre Dame dominated Georgia Tech’s triple option earlier in the year. But stranger things have happened in college football, and Navy comes into this game very underrated.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Radio: Navy, Notre Dame

Online streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra

Spread: Notre Dame is favored by 14.5 points.

1. The key for Notre Dame is to just stop the triple option like the Irish know how. This is a very talented defense, led by linebacker Jaylon Smith, and it can blow up the Navy attack if it plays to its potential.

2. Navy is really good — like conference championship good. It’s pretty incredible how good the Midshipmen are, given their institutional limitations. But they have the firepower to take down a lot of unsuspecting opponents this year.

3. We’ll learn more about Notre Dame after this game. If the Irish bounce back, they still have hope for a College Football Playoff berth.