Top 5 matchups for Week 13 of the 2024 college football season
2. No. 19 Army at No. 6 Notre Dame – Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBC
Army and Notre Dame have a long-standing rivalry as the two programs played annually from 1913-47. Matchups between the Black Knights and Fighting Irish have been less frequent since, but they have still played 51 games overall, with 39 of those being won by Notre Dame. That鈥檚 thanks in part to a 15-game winning streak for the Irish who have not lost to Army since 1958.
Notre Dame enters Saturday as two-touchdown favorites to continue the streak, but this might be one of the best Army teams the Fighting Irish have faced. The Black Knights have gone a perfect 9-0 in their first season in the AAC, winning every one of their games thus far by at least two scores. Quarterback Bryson Daily has been phenomenal in Army鈥檚 run-oriented attack and has over 1,000 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns this season for the nation鈥檚 No. 1-ranked rushing offense.
Army鈥檚 defense also ranks fifth in the nation, just ahead of Notre Dame which ranks sixth, and has been particularly stout against the run. Marcus Freeman should have his defense prepared to stop the run as well behind a talented linebacker group led by Jack Kiser and Drayk Bowen. That could make for a low-scoring affair, but Notre Dame鈥檚 offense has also looked sharp during its eight-game win streak, putting up 31 points or more in six straight contests as the nation鈥檚 11th-best scoring unit. Doing so again could add another big win to Notre Dame鈥檚 playoff resume, while an upset win for Army could also keep it in the playoff conversation.
