The 125th Army-Navy Game is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be a classic. This year the game will be played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM ET on Saturday. You can catch all the action on CBS.
Army is favored by -6.5 with a total of 39 (betonline)
Both teams enter this historic rivalry game with impressive records. Army boasts an 11-1 record, their only loss coming at the hands of Notre Dame. They dominated the American Athletic Conference in their first year in the league, finishing with a perfect 9-0 conference record and an AAC Championship. Navy enters the game at 8-3, a significant improvement from their 5-7 record last year.
While both teams were clobbered by Notre Dame, they’ve had differing results against common opponents. Army beat both Tulane and Rice, while Navy lost to both. Army has been dominant on the ground this year, leading the nation in rushing yards per game . Navy has also been strong in the run game, but their offense has been inconsistent as the season progressed .
Here are some key factors to watch:
- Army’s Rushing Attack: Army’s ground game has been unstoppable this season, led by quarterback Bryson Daily, who has rushed for 1,480 yards and 29 touchdowns . Navy’s defense will have its hands full trying to contain him.
- Navy’s Passing Game: While Navy is known for its triple-option run game, they have shown the ability to throw the ball effectively this year. If Navy’s quarterback, Blake Horvath, can make some plays through the air, it could keep Army’s defense off balance.
- Turnovers: Army has been excellent at protecting the ball this season, with only five turnovers all year. Navy, on the other hand, has struggled with turnovers, especially in recent games . If Navy can’t take care of the ball, it could be a long day for the Midshipmen.
- Time of Possession: Army leads the nation in time of possession, averaging close to 36 minutes per game . If they can control the clock like they have all season, it will be difficult for Navy to keep up.
This game is always a tough one to predict, as rivalry games often defy expectations. However, based on the factors above, Army appears to have the edge. They are the more consistent team, with a more potent offense and a stingier defense. But don’t count out Navy. They will be fired up to play their rivals, and they have the potential to pull off the upset.
Our Pick
While both teams have had great seasons, Army’s was almost perfect. Army has the edges in just about every category including common opponents. We think Army wins this by 7+ and possible by double digits.
Army -6.5