The Navy Midshipmen own serious bragging rights in the rivalry against the Army Black Knights, beating them 14 times in a row before heading into last year’s matchup. But in 2016 Army pulled itself up and broke through to beat Navy by a score of 21-17. Can the Knights make it two in a row over the Middies when the squads meet in battle for the 118th time Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field? Register to bet and wager with your pick.
Betting Preview for the Navy Midshipmen vs Army Black Knights Bowl Week College Football Game on Dec 9 2017
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
When: Saturday, December 9 2017, 3:00 PM EST
Line: Navy Midshipmen (-3.5) vs Army Black Knights (+3.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Army Black Knights 8-3 (+3.5)
I cannot recall the last time Army came into this annual season ender in a better position than Navy, though I am not sure how much it is going to really matter. These two are going to go at it in a respectful manner. Army won last year breaking a long run by Navy in this annual tilt. Bowl invites have already been done so this is all about pride (I suppose it always is).
Army has eight wins for the second season in a row. With this and a bowl game to follow they could actually post double-digit victories for the first time since 1992. They will be underdogs in this and their bowl game.
The Black Knights are the top running team in the country. They know how to move the ball but struggle when they get caught in shootouts. QB Ahmad Bradshaw is the featured runner and is closing his eligibility with a flourish – over 1400 yards on the ground.
The Knights are only yielding 21ppg, which is they the 52 they gave up to Texas was so surprising. After a few weeks off and facing a familiar opponent they should be able to get the defense back to the level it has been at most of the season.
Betting on the Navy Midshipmen 6-5 (-3.5)
The Middies struggled down the stretch losing five of their last six. They were very competitive losing by just 3 at Memphis and bot by more than 10 points but this group is used to more success than we saw this season.
Led by Zach Abey and his 1300+ yards on the ground Navy was second in rushing in the nation. It is all relative but they put the ball in the air a lot more than Army does. Though that might not be evident in this contest.
It was the slide of the defense this season that prevented them from winning at a high rate. Grinding out clock the way they do is only an effective strategy if you can get enough stops. Oddly they were good against Memphis and UCF but not so much against lesser offensive teams.
Writer’s Prediction
It says a lot that despite the disparity in their results this season Navy is still a very solid favorite. Army might be closing the gap overall in terms of program strength but will they beat Navy two years in a row. They had lost 14 in a row before last season. That hook is the only reason to pause for me.
Army may have the better record and some nice stats but they have not played as tough a schedule as Navy. That will show when they are toe to toe. I think Navy will win by at least seven in this spot so I might wait to see which way the market pushes this one. -3 is always better than -3.5. Both teams will run the ball well but I like Navy to get more stops, enough to win. Pick: Navy (-3)
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