The vast difference in experience between Brady Quinn and Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, a Kapolei graduate, mirrors the talent gap between 11th-ranked Notre Dame (6-1) and host Navy (5-2) going into Saturday's matchup at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

In terms of personnel, the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football has always been a mismatch. Notre Dame has beaten Navy 42 straight times dating back to 1963 and holds a 69-9-1 overall record in the series.

"They have a bunch of Parade All-Americans and we have a bunch of guys who have marched in a parade," Navy head coach Paul Johnson once joked.

Despite the decided differences in size, strength and athletic ability, Navy has nearly upset Notre Dame many times during the current losing streak. Some of the closest calls have come in years it seemed the Midshipmen had no chance.

Notre Dame is a two-touchdown favorite this season primarily because of the obvious advantage in the quarterback matchup.

Quinn is enjoying a terrific senior season, having completed 175 of 278 passes (63 percent) for 1,938 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 227-pounder has been outstanding in three starts against Navy, completed 47 of 78 passes (60 percent) for 551 yards, with five touchdowns.

Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green joked the only way to simulate Quinn in practice would be to have Tom Brady of the New England Patriots run the scout team.

"Brady is the real deal. He has all the physical and mental tools you look for," said Green, who thinks Quinn will be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

"He does a good job of reading defenses, getting the team into the right play and seeing the whole field. He has a big-time arm and knows where to go with the football. He has the athletic ability to throw on the run or scramble when there is pressure."

Quinn is also blessed with talented targets in senior wide receivers Jeff Samardzija (42 catches, 487 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Rhema McKnight (40-523, 7) along with junior tailback Darius Walker (42-280).

"He's got a huge, veteran offensive line that provides great protection and a bunch of dangerous weapons to throw the ball to," said Green, who is also concerned about tight end John Carlson (32-454).

Navy will try to put pressure on Quinn by blitzing from all angles with outside linebacker David Mahoney and right end John Chan (four sacks apiece) the primary rushers.

Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis said outside linebacker Tyler Tidwell (30 tackles, 2.5 for loss) is a key cog in Navy's defensive game plan.

"He's the guy who provides them the versatility to go back and forth between odd and even fronts. He's the guy who puts his hand down when they want to go from a 3-4 to a 4-3," Weis said.

Navy is hoping to get its vaunted triple-option offense back in gear after a miserable performance against No. 16 Rutgers. The Midshipmen were held to a season-low 161 total yards in suffering just the second shutout (34-0) of Johnson's five-year tenure.

Navy had been leading the nation in rushing with an average of 350.5 yards per game until starting quarterback Brian Hampton suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter against Rutgers. Hampton remains the team's top rusher with 646 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kaheaku-Enhada, a former Kapolei star with superb speed and moves, has seen significant action in just two games Massachusetts and Rutgers. He may share time with fellow sophomore Jarod Bryant, who is a better passer but does not have as strong a command of the option offense.

With a young, inexperienced quarterback at the helm, Weis figures he'll see a lot of junior fullback Adam Ballard, who is now Navy's leading rusher with 597 yards.

"He's like their workhorse. They give it to him and he really is the center of their offense," Weis said.