When Notre Dame and Navy battle Saturday in a top 25 showdown, the red zone will be one of the biggest keys to victory.

Both teams are among the nation’s best in the red zone with Navy’s offense ranking as THE very best unit in the country at scoring touchdowns when inside the 20 yard line of the opposing team. Navy has scored 22 touchdowns in 23 trips to the red zone this season, a major reason why they are 6-0 and ranked #24 in the country.

“The variety of what they do, the ability to run the ball in and be able to play action you and throw it in from the high red or the fringe—they are really good once they get in there and they are hard to stop,” Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden explained. “They are a challenge and any time the quarterback can run, you have to allocate the bodies accordingly.”

Notre Dame’s defense has only allowed 7 touchdowns in 15 trips in the red zone this season with opponents kicking field goals on 4 of those trips. 4 times this season, the opponent has come away with zero points.

“Especially defensively we have to find red zone stops against this team,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said Thursday in his final media availability before Notre Dame faces Navy.

Meanwhile the pressure is also on the Irish offense to maximize its trip when reaching the red zone. Notre Dame has done that so far this year, scoring touchdowns on 18 of 22 trips. Overall, Notre Dame has scored in 20 of 22 trips to the red zone while on offense, coming away with no points just twice this season.

“Absolutely critical in a matchup where the other offense has been scoring at a high clip and putting points on the board,” Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said of ensuring his side of the ball scores touchdowns instead of field goals in the red zone. “We are going to have to do a great job this week in the red zone. I think more than anything, I think our guys have a mentality that when we get down there, we bite down on our mouthpiece a little harder and make sure we finish the job and hopefully that continues.”

Navy is 4th in the country in red zone defense, allowing just 8 touchdowns in 19 trips inside the 20.

“They are obviously good on both sides of the ball,” Freeman said. “Offensively, it’s having a great plan and making sure we finish with touchdowns and not field goals. Defensively, you make sure you have a great red zone plan. There has been a huge point of emphasis.”

Notre Dame and Navy will kickoff at Noon Saturday on ABC.