Notre Dame Football Opens as Huge Favorites Over Army Black Knights in Week 13

### Notre Dame Football Opens as Huge Favorites Over Army Black Knights in Week 13

As the college football season heads into its final stretch, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are gearing up for what many expect to be a one-sided matchup in Week 13 against the Army Black Knights. The game, scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at Notre Dame Stadium, will be a pivotal moment for both teams, but on paper, the Irish are heavy favorites to dominate the Black Knights.

#### A Look at Notre Dame’s Season

Heading into Week 13, Notre Dame finds itself in a position to secure a strong finish to a season that has been filled with highs and lows. At 7-3, the Fighting Irish are coming off a disappointing 27-14 loss to the No. 12-ranked Louisville Cardinals, a defeat that dashed their hopes of a playoff berth but has not completely extinguished their aspirations for a top-tier bowl game. Despite that setback, Notre Dame remains a top-tier program with a roster full of talent and potential.

The Fighting Irish’s offense has been led by quarterback Sam Hartman, a graduate transfer from Wake Forest who has had a strong season despite facing tough defenses. Hartman has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, showing an ability to operate in both the pocket and on the move. His ability to spread the ball to a deep group of receivers, including standout tight end Mitchell Evans, has been a key factor in the Irish’s offensive efficiency.

On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame has also been stout. Under defensive coordinator Al Golden, the Fighting Irish have been able to stifle opposing offenses with a combination of strong pass-rushing and solid coverage in the secondary. Junior linebacker Jaylen Sneed and defensive lineman Rylie Mills are among the key players to watch on Notre Dame’s defense, and both have been consistently disruptive throughout the year.

While their three losses came to high-quality opponents — Ohio State, Louisville, and Duke — the Fighting Irish have demonstrated resilience, and they enter this game looking to finish the regular season strong. Their chance to do so lies in a favorable matchup against Army.

#### The Army Black Knights’ Struggles

The Black Knights of Army (3-7) have had a much more difficult season and enter Week 13 on a three-game losing streak. After a promising 3-4 start, Army’s offense has struggled, particularly against teams with more athleticism and depth. Their option-based attack, which relies heavily on the run game and ball control, has been largely ineffective against teams with stout defenses, and Notre Dame’s defensive line and linebackers are expected to have the upper hand in this matchup.

Army has had to rely heavily on its defense to stay competitive in games, but the Black Knights have not been able to match up well against high-powered offenses, and that’s exactly what they’ll face in South Bend. The Irish’s offense, led by Hartman, is far more dynamic than anything Army has seen this season, and that spells trouble for the Black Knights.

Army’s biggest strength has traditionally been its ability to control the clock with long, methodical drives, but Notre Dame’s defense has been excellent against the run. The Irish rank among the nation’s best in terms of yards allowed per game on the ground, and they will look to force Army to rely on the pass — an area where the Black Knights are less effective.

#### The Spread and Betting Odds

As the week progresses, sportsbooks have made Notre Dame a huge favorite in the matchup, with the Irish currently favored by 28 points. This line reflects the vast difference in talent between the two teams and the expectation that Notre Dame will be able to dominate both sides of the ball. Army has struggled to keep pace with more talented teams throughout the season, and the point spread is a reflection of the belief that the Irish will overpower the Black Knights on both sides of the ball.

For Army, simply staying competitive will be the key. They’ve shown resilience in games this season, but with a wounded roster and a matchup that heavily favors Notre Dame, the Black Knights will need a perfect game to make things interesting.

#### Looking Ahead

For Notre Dame, Week 13 represents an opportunity to fine-tune their game plan ahead of potential bowl opportunities. With an eye on a New Year’s Six bowl game or even a potential placement in the Cotton Bowl, the Irish are highly motivated to finish strong. A dominant victory over Army would not only give them momentum heading into the postseason but would also serve as a statement of the program’s continued strength and relevance in the national conversation.

For Army, it’s another chance to test themselves against a top-tier opponent, and they will look to finish their season on a positive note, despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them. A solid showing against a powerful Notre Dame team could provide a morale boost as they head into their final contest of the year.

#### Conclusion

While the matchup between Notre Dame and Army in Week 13 may appear to be a David vs. Goliath affair, there’s still plenty of intrigue surrounding the game. With Notre Dame looking to secure a strong finish to the season and Army hoping to exceed expectations despite its struggles, the game will be a litmus test for both programs. For the Irish, anything less than a dominant victory would be seen as a disappointment, but for Army, the game represents one final opportunity to measure themselves against one of college football’s elite programs. As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be on Notre Dame Stadium to see if the Irish live up to their considerable billing as favorites.