Army Black Knights (8-3 SU, 5-6 ATS) vs. Navy Midshipmen (6-5 SU, 5-4-2 ATS)
College Football Week 15
Date/Time: Saturday December 9th, 2017. 3:00PM (EST)
Where: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, P.A
TV: CBS
by Jay, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: ARMY +3/NAVY -3
Over/Under Total: 47.5
College Footballs regular season will conclude this weekend with the annual and historic Army-Navy game when both teams meet at Lincoln Financial Field. Saturdays battle among our servicemen will be marked as the 118th meeting dating back to 1890 in this rivalrys prestigious history. Last year, Army snapped the longest streak in the rivalrys history when they beat the Midshipmen 21-17 in Baltimore. The victory ended a 14 year drought to the Midshipmen and the Black Knights are just 3 point underdogs this weekend with the Commander in Chief Trophy on the line.
For those unfamiliar with the Commander in Chief Trophy, it is given each year to the winner of a 3 way series between our military branches supporting the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is one of the few trophies in college football that constitutes more than two teams and salutes the best football team among our armed services. I think most people are very familiar with the Army-Navy game as it concludes the regular season each year. However, few may realize that this will be just the 3rd time since 1978 that the Commander in Chief trophy will be on the line for the winner thanks to both teams victory over the Air Force earlier this year.
Therefore, Saturdays game carries some extra importance for both teams as they look to cap off successful seasons that have earned bowl berths. On the year, Army is 8-3 SU and 5-6 ATS. Before last weeks 52-49 loss to North Texas, the Black Knights had knocked off 6 straight opponents including notable victories against the Air Force and Duke. Meanwhile, the Navy have been trending downward during the 2nd half of the season with 5 losses in the last 6 games. The only victory during that stretch was a 43-40 shootout over SMU that was followed by back to back losses in recent weeks to Notre Dame and Houston.
Obviously from a trending standpoint, it appears that the Black Knights and Midshipmen are going in opposite directions. However, I believe Navy still has a very good chance to win this football game as they have played relatively well in recent weeks despite the losses. Case in point, the Midshipmen took both no. 8 Notre Dame and Houston down to the wire in recent weeks. Navys offense has also shown the ability to throw the ball a bit better this year with quarterback Zach Abey. Abey leads the offense with 1,322 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He has also thrown 7 touchdowns with 7 interceptions.
Obviously neither one of these offenses rely on the pass. Armys offense has attempted just 60 passes for the entire year. Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw leads the team with 1,472 yards and 11 touchdowns. Quarterbacks are typically the best athletes in these triple option style offenses and that is why Bradshaw and Abey will be the focal points on Saturday. For the Black Knights, they have
been the better rushing team and by better I mean the best in the nation averaging 368 yards per game. Darnell Woolfolk, Kell Walker, and Andy Davidson have all rushed for more than 500 yards and have combined for 21 touchdowns. From a production standpoint, Navy has been just as efficient ranking 2nd in the FBS averaging 347 yards per game. The only difference is that the Midshipmens offense has been the product of a dual headed monster between Abey and running back Malcolm Perry who also has the opportunity to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark this season.
If you think the numbers sound familiar offensively, they do not differ much from the defensive side of the ball either. Both defenses rank 54th and 58th respectively against the run allowing just over 150 yards per game on the ground which is probably the most important defensive stat to consider against these offenses. Both defenses give up nearly 5 yards per touch against the run which should present opportunities for both offenses this Saturday.
Jay’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: This is a very evenly matched game meaning I expect things to stay relatively close dependent upon turnovers and big plays. I am staying away from the side but I believe there will be plenty of scoring due to the fact both offenses are better than the opposing defenses. Therefore, take the over 47.5 with confidence! – Bet this game for FREE by taking advantage of a FAT 100% bonus up to $1000 at MyBookie! (Use Promo Code: PRDCT14)