Can Navy break long skid to Irish?
Reggie Campbell heard the chatter in the hallways of his dormitory and anywhere else he went.
"Every time we get around to Notre Dame, it comes up," said Campbell, a senior slot back at Navy. "It's pretty much coming from all angles."
Navy fullback Eric Kettani has dodged defenders for 557 rushing yards (5.6 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns this season, but even he couldn't sidestep "The Streak" this week. As Kettani got his hair clipped in the academy barbershop, he received an earful about Navy's 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame, the nation's longest slide against the same opponent.
Surrounding the barber's chair were men in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
"Some of them might have seen one of the wins, too," Kettani joked. "It's been a long time."
It has been 44 years since Roger Staubach and fourth-ranked Navy thumped Notre Dame 35-14 at Notre Dame Stadium. A decent rivalry in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the annual clash has become decidedly one-sided.
Since 1963, Notre Dame has won all but seven games by 14 points or more, including the last two by 24 and 21. The Midshipmen haven't forced a Notre Dame punt since 2004, a mind-blowing span of 126 minutes 20 seconds.
But if there were ever a chance for Navy to sink the Irish, it would be Saturday (1:30 p.m., Ch. 5). Notre Dame is mired in its worst stretch since the early '60s, dropping nine of its last 10 games by an average of 24.2 points.
Navy players are well aware of Notre Dame's struggles, but they don't underplay Saturday's test.
"They've still got cream-of-the-crop athletes, so we can't really look at, 'Well, they're not as good,' " Campbell said. "I'm not saying it's not going to be The Year, but we're not taking anything away from them just because they're 1-7."
The Mids (4-4) have made major strides under coach Paul Johnson, but this isn't one of their best teams. The trademark triple option is clicking, as Navy leads the nation in rushing (342.9 ypg), but the defense has dragged.
The Mids rank 114th nationally in scoring defense (38.1 ppg) and 109th against the pass (280.6 ypg). They're tied for last nationally in sacks (5) and 115th in tackles for loss (4.25 per game).
A Notre Dame offensive line flattened by five top 25-rated defenses (USC, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Boston College and Michigan) could finally get a respite. Then again, if the nation's worst offense can't stir against Navy, will it ever?
"We need to be more efficient," Irish center John Sullivan said. "Something's going to give this week, and hopefully it will be in our favor."
Irish coach Charlie Weis is wary of engaging in a shootout, given Navy's offensive production. The Mids rank 19th nationally in scoring offense (35.8 ppg) and have tallied 30 or more points in six games and 46 or more in three.
Maximizing each possession will be paramount for the Irish. So will executing assignments on defense. Notre Dame ranks 93rd against the run (191.8 ypg), allowing more than 200 yards four times this season.
"We have both our four-man fronts and our three man fronts available to us," Weis said. "You have to be ready to use both."
A loss would kick more sod on an already sullied season for Notre Dame, but talk of the streak hasn't burdened players this week.
"We're a 1-7 football team," Sullivan said. "We've got bigger things to worry about."
Navy (4-4) at Notre Dame (1-7)
When: 1:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Stadium
TV: Channel 5
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Series: Notre Dame, 70-9-1
Coaches: Paul Johnson (41-29, sixth year at Navy; 103-39, 11th year overall); Charlie Weis (20-13, third year at Notre Dame and overall)
Players to watch: He's easy to overlook at 5-6 and 168 pounds, but Navy slot back Reggie Campbell can hurt Notre Dame if left unattended. Campbell is second on the team in yards per carry (7.1) and ranks 59th nationally in kickoff returns (24.3 ypr). Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada has scored a rushing touchdown in eight straight games.
Navy's run game puts pressure on opposing safeties, so how will David Bruton and Tom Zbikowski fare? Zbikowski had a career-high 14 tackles last year against the Mids, and Bruton ranks second on the team in solo tackles (35).
The skinny: The streak is always the story when these two teams meet, but will it be after Saturday's clash? Navy might not get a better chance to end its 43-game slide against Notre Dame, the longest FBS losing streak against an opponent. Irish freshman running back Robert Hughes could play just five days after the shooting death of his older brother, Earl, in Chicago. Five Notre Dame coaches and approximately 50 players attended Earl Hughes' funeral Friday along with athletic director Kevin White.