Both sides can agree that Navy no longer resembles the squad that got routed by Notre Dame in last season’s opener in Dublin, Ireland.

The U.S. Navy kept Notre Dame afloat when it faced financial difficulties during World War II by making a training center at the university. As a repayment on a debt of honor, Notre Dame has given Navy an open invitation to play the Irish on the gridiron ever since.

Every year we like to remind Notre Dame fans, and fans of college football, why the rivalry between the Fighting Irish and Navy is so important. IB contributor Andrew McDonough took a deep dive into the history, and every year in advance of this game we publish that feature.