The Irish are trying to win back-to-back games for the first time all year. Who will help them do that? Find out here.
How last week’s picks fared
(This was perhaps one of the better weeks of picks I’ve had)
Kevin Stepherson - 2 receptions, 78 yards
Nyles Morgan - 9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
Cole Luke - 5 tackles, 1 INT
Greer Martini - LB
Martini has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion in the Miami game last week. I talked other day about how Martini has been very good against the option in the past. In three career games against option attacks the junior has tallied 26 tackles. That is pretty impressive considering he only has 55 career tackles. Martini will play a key role in stopping the Midshipmen attack. Look for him to be all over the field making plays.
Drue Tranquill - S
Tranquill is coming off perhaps his best game of the year against Miami. Last week he had nine tackles and helped the Irish defense give up just 18 rushing yards to the ‘Canes.
This week is the type of game Tranquill was made for. He’s really a linebacker playing safety. Tranquill is a much better player when playing up in the box. We will see more of that this week against Navy with their run first offense. Last year against Georgia Tech’s option attack he had four tackles in the first half before blowing his knee out shortly before halftime. Much like Martini, I like Tranquill to play a key factor in stopping Navy’s run game.
According to Bryan Driskell of Blue and Gold Illustrated, Tranquill is on pace for 91 tackles. That would be the most by a safety since Harrison Smith in 2010.
Josh Adams - RB
The keys to beating Navy are to; control the clock, keep the defense off the field, and just physically grind them down. Whether Brian Kelly likes it or not, the Irish will need to run the ball in order to do those things. That’s where Josh Adams steps in.
The bye week looked like it gave Adams his burst back. Last week against Miami the sophomore tailback ripped off a 41-yard score, which helped tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Navy boasts the 84th best run defense in the country and is allowing almost 4.5 yards per carry this season. If the Irish can actually commit to running the ball, Adams should have a big day.