Joe Raymond / AP

Senior Travis Thomas (26) could be a key to the power running game Notre Dame should seek to establish against Navy, writes Allen Pinkett of MSNBC.com.

Mind games
The Irish have not won at home this season. A loss to Navy would mark the first time in 119 seasons of Notre Dame football that the Irish not only have lost five straight at home, but lost five there in a season. Weis believes the fear of another home loss weighs heavier on the Irish than the fear of being the first Notre Dame team to lose to Navy since 1963. That's why the mindset of Notre Dame will be crucial to the outcome of this game.

With seven losses the Irish know they are no longer in the running to get a bid to a bowl game. But it's extremely important that their mental approach be sharp and focused. They can't have a collective mindset that their season is over just because they are no longer bowl eligible. For Notre Dame every game from here on out needs to be a bowl game.

The Irish can't afford to write the season off. They still have four games to play and a chance at creating some momentum for next year. Winning creates a lot of good feeling, and there hasn't been a lot of that with Notre Dame this year. Weis expects his team to play well, and the players must expect that of themselves.

The Irish have to view the last month on their schedule as a new season. Notre Dame players have to forget what's happened in the first eight games this year. If they allow the seven losses to stick in their minds it will affect their play. The Irish must program themselves to think one way and that's ahead not back. As long as they are looking forward and not backwards they can get into a positive frame of mind that will help them go out and execute against Navy.

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Joe Raymond / AP

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After Notre Dame's Blue and Gold game, it appears to be a three-way race for the starting QB position. Keith Arnold breaks down this race and each area of the offense as he projects the opening day starting lineup.

A Blue and Gold glimpse

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