The Midshipmen have been absolutely dominant in their 6-0 start. Navy’s 44.8 points per game is fourth in the country and opponents are averaging just 19.7 points a contest. Granted, Notre Dame is by far the toughest team Navy has seen this season. The Fighting Irish continue to deal with injuries as they’re down five starters.
Oddsmakers clearly like Oregon as the Illini are the last remaining currently ranked team on Oregon’s schedule. Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel and running back Jordan James will contend with an Illinois defense that’s giving up just 18 points per game and has forced 13 turnovers.
The Tigers’ chances of an upset could be tough with QB Brady Cook and leading rusher Nate Noel potentially missing the game with injuries. Former Arizona State and Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne appears in line to get the start against an Alabama team that’s desperate to bounce back from its second loss of the season last week to Tennessee.
The newly ranked Commodores get the Longhorns at home three weeks after pulling off a huge upset over Alabama. Can Vandy shock the world again? A lot will depend on the play of dual-threat QB Diego Pavia, who faces a Texas team coming off an ugly loss to Georgia a week ago.
These are the only teams without an SEC loss this season, so the winner will have an inside track to the conference title game. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier has been one of the most productive QBs in the nation so far, and he’ll face an A&M defense that has defended the pass very well.
Live24 updates
Touchdown Ohio State!
Freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith has his first score of the game on a 60-yard deep ball from Will Howard.
Howard is a perfect 7-of-7 for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Buckeyes go up 14-3.
Touchdown Washington
The Huskies are on the board in Bloomington after a short TD run by Giles Jackson.
The undefeated Hoosiers are still up 14-
Touchdown Notre Dame!
And now it’s Jeremiyah Love breaking one deep, sprinting through the middle for a 64-yard touchdown run to give Notre Dame a two-score lead again.
It’s 21-7 now.
Touchdown Navy!
Blake Horvath bolts right through the Notre Dame defense for a 47-yard touchdown and the Midshipmen are right back in this thing!
Touchdown Ohio State
The Buckeyes strike first in Columbus! Will Howard finds Carnell Tate on a deep post for a 40-yard score to take the lead on Nebraska.
Notre Dame misses FG
It’s a moral victory for Navy as it holds the Irish to a field goal attempt after the second fumble and Notre Dame kicker Isaiah Bryant misses the mark.
It’s still 14-0.
Touchdown Oklahoma
The Sooners have tied things up in Oxford on a pass from Jackson Arnold to Bauer Sharp.
Fumble recovered by Notre Dame!
It’s another self-inflicted error in the backfield for Notre Dame as Blake Horvath fumbles the option exchange and puts it back on the turf. The Irish recover it.
Notre Dame recovers fumble, scores TD
The Midshipmen lost the ball on a critical mistake in the backfield by Alex Tecza and Notre Dame returned the fumble deep inside Navy territory. Three plays later, Leonard finds Chris Mitchell for a short TD pass.
Irish up 14-0 early in the first quarter.
Indiana pick 6!
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers are on the board first in Bloomington after this interception and return by D’Angelo Ponds.
Touchdown Notre Dame!
The Irish got the ball first and it took them very little time marching down the field. This deep pass from Riley Leonard to Jaden Greathouse got the bulk of the yards before a short TD run by Leonard.
The Rebels are on the board first in Oxford.
Games of note in the early window:
Notre Dame-Navy Washington-Indiana Oklahoma-Ole Miss Nebraska-Ohio State
We are underway with our first wave of games!
We’ll mostly be following Navy-Notre Dame here in this early window, but we’ll also drop in highlights from games going on around the country.
What to watch: Week 9 college football viewing guide
Here are the best games in Week 9. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)
Click the photo above to read the story. (Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Miami’s smoke-and-mirrors routine gets another act against Florida State
Click the photo above to read the story. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In era of NIL and transfer portal, Navy and Army are thriving without either. How are they pulling it off? ‘We are a unicorn’
Army and Navy are undefeated this college football season. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)
Heisman Watch: Are Travis Hunter’s Heisman chances dwindling?
How will the Heisman race shake out? (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)
Leslie Moore is a travel, automotive, fashion and arts writer for Greyden Press. She has a passion for exploring new places, trying new things and learning about life in general. When she isn't writing she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
