Watch Navy-Notre Dame Football Game in the Aer Lingus Classic: A Guide for Saturday's Dublin Event

Navy and Notre Dame kick off the 2023 college football season in the Aer Lingus Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Welcome to the 2023 college football season, where Navy and Notre Dame will kick off the excitement with the Aer Lingus Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. As we gear up for this highly anticipated game, here are some important details to keep in mind:

The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. local time in Dublin, which translates to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday. You can catch all the action on NBC (Chs. 11, 4) or stream it on the Peacock app. Providing the play-by-play commentary will be Noah Eagle, alongside analyst Jason Garrett, sideline reporter Zora Stephenson, and rules analyst Terry McAulay.

To get you even more excited, coverage will start with "College Countdown presented by Genesis" at 2 p.m. on Peacock. So, make sure to tune in early to catch all the pre-game analysis and predictions.

This year's game is taking place at Aviva Stadium, a magnificent facility that was constructed in 2007 through a collaboration between the Irish Rugby Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland. With a price tag of 140 million Euro, Aviva Stadium officially opened its doors on May 14, 2010. The stadium's naming rights were acquired by Aviva Group Ireland, an Irish branch of a British insurance firm, in a 10-year deal that was recently extended.

Aviva Stadium serves as the home for the Irish rugby union team and the Republic of Ireland football team. It holds the prestigious title of being the first and only UEFA Category 4 Stadium in the country. In 2011, it hosted the Europa League final and also saw the inaugural Nations Cup take place within its walls. Additionally, Aviva Stadium has been the venue for numerous home matches of the national rugby and football teams, as well as some thrilling Leinster Rugby encounters.

Back in 2012, Aviva Stadium witnessed history when Navy and Notre Dame battled it out in the first American college football game ever played on its grounds. Known as the Emerald Isle Classic, the September 1st clash marked the season opener for both teams, with the Fighting Irish dominating the Midshipmen with a final score of 50-10.

Last year, Notre Dame secured a 35-32 victory over Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Fighting Irish showcased their offensive prowess, building a commanding 22-point lead by halftime. However, the Navy defense put on an impressive display in the second half, completely shutting down Notre Dame. Despite their efforts, Navy fell short of a comeback, allowing the heavily favored visitors to escape Baltimore with the win.

Navy's defensive performance in the second half of last year's game was truly remarkable, holding Notre Dame to a mere 12 total yards. This year, Navy returns with nine defensive starters, ready to face the challenge once again.

Notre Dame, ranked No. 13 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, enters this game as a heavy favorite with a 20 1/2 point spread. Led by first-year coach Brian Newberry, Navy will have their work cut out for them. The over/under for the game is set at 49 points, so we can expect an exciting matchup on the field. It's worth noting that last season, Navy had a 7-5 record against the spread.

In terms of their overall series, Notre Dame holds a commanding lead with 79 wins, compared to Navy's 13 victories and 1 tie. However, Navy's last triumph came on November 5, 2016, when they secured a narrow 28-27 win. Since then, Notre Dame has emerged victorious in their five consecutive matchups.

This will be the third time these two teams face off in Ireland, with Notre Dame winning both previous encounters. On September 1, 2012, Notre Dame triumphed with a score of 50-10, while on November 2, 1996, they secured a 54-27 victory.

Get ready for an unforgettable clash between Navy and Notre Dame as they take the field in Dublin's Aviva Stadium. With a rich history and fierce competition between these two teams, this game promises to be a thrilling start to the college football season.

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