If all of you Navy defenders are done screaming, “KNOW YOUR HISTORY” at the screen… we can continue. This isn’t about if Notre Dame should drop Navy from the schedule — it’s about one of the most annoying things about having them on the schedule every year.
Other than college football hipsters (which I am not specifically a member of, but do appreciate the dedication from them) no one gives a crap about the Navy Midshipmen. Whether the Middies are having an incredible year or a bad year (or even a mid year and I’m waiting for your knee slapping laugh here) they are consistently looked down on by the media and fans alike.
Last year, for example, when there was all of this debate about who played who and who beat who… Notre Dame couldn’t throw Navy into the conversation. Despite an 10-2 record (11-2 with a bowl win), the Middies are never looked at in the same light as like a Boise State. A 49-10 pounding by Notre Dame over Navy is lost to the universe — as we have seen a number of times before.
Which brings me to this year… the Navy game is going to be annoying (again). The Middies received some votes in the AP Top 25, and there’s an OUTSTANDING chance Navy is 7-0 and ranked in the top 20 — maybe even the top 15, when Notre Dame plays them on Halloween in Foxborough. But none of that will matter after another Irish beatdown of the United States Naval Academy.
I feel bad for Navy. Only Boise State received more votes in the AP Top 25 than Navy when it comes to G6 schools, and Boise has to play Oregon in week one. Navy will be in striking distance of a playoff berth, but with that Notre Dame game on the schedule, they’re in a bad spot. Which again… doesn’t do much for the Irish.
It’s annoying for Notre Dame and Navy, but… mutual respect.