Two weeks remain in the college football regular season and one of the biggest games of the weekend is ... Army versus Notre Dame?
It's not a shock that this Yankee Stadium matchup features an undefeated team, but the fact it's the Black Knights and not the Fighting Irish is a stunner.
There are plenty of surprises in this new era of the sport, but Army coming into Week 13 with a perfect 9-0 record and a real shot at the College Football Playoff is up there for biggest of the year. The AAC leaders enter the contest sitting No. 19 in the latest CFP rankings - 13 slots behind 6th-ranked Notre Dame. Thanks to the 12-team playoff's one spot for a Group of 5 school, the Black Knights can take a major step towards postseason play with an upset win Saturday.
Meanwhile, it's safe to say rumors of Notre Dame's demise were greatly exaggerated after an embarrassing home loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. The Irish have done all they can to erase that game from the committee's memory by running wild on the rest of the schedule. A seven-point triumph over Louisville in Week 5 is the only game Notre Dame's played that finished within 20 points since the loss to the Huskies.
The odds are certainly stacked against the Cadets on Saturday, but they have a chance to continue a fairy-tale season if they can do the following three things.
Get an early score
Nobody under the age of 60 has watched an Army victory over Notre Dame. The Irish have won 15 straight games in the series by an average margin of 30 points since losing to the Black Knights in 1958. That includes three meetings in the last 25 years that Notre Dame won by a combined 112-18 score. That type of history makes it essential for 14-point underdog Army to get off to a hot start and inject some real belief into the team and fans in attendance.
The good news for the underdogs: fast starts are what they've thrived on all season. The only game this season Army didn't score a touchdown on its opening drive was the one contest star quarterback Bryson Daily missed due to injury. The opening scripted drive has been lethal for the Black Knights this season, and Notre Dame has allowed a first-quarter touchdown in four games this year, including that loss to Northern Ilinois. Army must take advantage of first possession in New York to have a shot at pulling off the upset.
Make Riley Leonard a passer
Notre Dame's offense has risen to 19th in the nation in yards per play, buoyed largely by the FBS' fourth-best rushing attack. QB Riley Leonard has passed for more than 215 yards in a game only once this season - mostly because he hasn't had to. The running game's paced the Irish during their winning run, but Army's defensive line should present a strong challenge Saturday. The Black Knights are fifth nationally allowing only 2.9 yards per rush this season, and forcing Notre Dame into clear passing situations is essential for them to have any chance Saturday.
Leonard's been incredibly efficient with 12 touchdowns against just four interceptions this season, but the blueprint to beat Notre Dame was revealed in Week 2 against Northern Illinois. The Huskies were able to stop the run and force Leonard to try and attack through the air, resulting in two interceptions on 32 attempts (Leonard's second most on the season) and a humbling loss. Army must force Notre Dame to air it out and take advantage of turnover possibilities when they present themselves.
Daily hits big passing plays
Nobody in the country passes the ball less than Army. The Black Knights rely on a ground-heavy triple-option attack to eat up clock and move the ball. However, when they do decide to shock the world and throw a pass, it often breeds devastating results. The offense leads the nation by a healthy margin with 11.8 yards per pass attempt. The reliance on the ground game eventually gets the defense in compromising pass positions, allowing Daily to attack through the air when the time is right. That must happen for the Black Knights against Notre Dame's stout defense.
Daily topped the 100-yard passing mark in four games this season and five last year. That hadn't happened to a previous Army quarterback since 2015. He's an absolute menace on the ground, but the significant threat he brings in the passing game is one of the main reasons the team's won 13 straight. That threat will need to be realized on multiple occasions Saturday to make it 14 wins in a row.