The Fighting Irish return from a bye after their BYU loss knowing a win over top-ranked Miami next week may be required to stay in playoff contention.
Notre Dame, No. 6 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, takes on Navy at Gillette Stadium this Saturday coming off a bye week that followed a loss at BYU. The matchup itself is not expected to be close based on recent history, with the Irish having won their last three meetings with Navy by an average of more than 38 points.
The bigger storyline is what comes after. ESPN's Heather Dinich, in her latest College Football Playoff bubble watch, said Notre Dame would still be in playoff position if it beats top-ranked Miami on Nov. 7. But if the Irish lose that game and finish the season with two losses, there is no guarantee they make the field.
Part of the problem is scheduling. Notre Dame's strength of schedule currently ranks No. 41, and Dinich noted it might not improve much the rest of the way. That makes Navy look like a tune-up, but the Miami game looms as the one that actually decides whether this season ends in the playoff or on the outside looking in.