Navy vs Army College Football Prediction, 12–10–2016
Navy Midshipmen (9–3 SU, 7–4–1 ATS) vs Army Black Knights (6–5 SU , 6–5 ATS)
Odds: Army +6, 47.5
Navy vs Army Prediction by Documented Handicapper: Carson Kelly
The ultimate college football rivalry that represents so much more than football, Army vs Navy. The Army-Navy game is one of the most traditional and enduring rivalries in college football. The first game was played in 1890 and it became a series starting in 1899 and there were only four years in the early 1900’s that these teams did not play.
Navy aims to keep their inter-service bragging rights playing for their 15th straight win over Army. Despite having far less football talent than Navy, Army has played the Midshipmen tough and covered 4 out of 5 games.
Navy looks to win double-digit games back-to-back seasons for the first time. The Midshipmen were lead by QB Will Worth who completed 61.5% of his passes for 1,397 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions and 25 rushing TD’s. However, Worth will not play as he is expected to miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. This is a huge blow to the Midshipmen.
Defensively, Navy is allowing 30.4 points and 435.7 yards per game. Navy has played a far tougher schedule and managed wins over a then top ranked Houston team, along with wins over Memphis, Notre Dame and Tulsa. They have played some very good offenses which shows with the amount of points they have conceded.
The Army Black Knights look for their seventh victory of the season and snap a massive losing streak to Navy. The Army Black Knights have not won a game against Navy since the 2001 season.
Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw and running back Andy Davidson are the catalysts for the Army triple-option attack, combining for 1,464 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Army is a rushing football team as when they are forced to throw the ball it can be a disaster. Bradshaw has attempted just 84 passes this season and has been picked off eight times.
While Army hasn’t played as tough of a schedule as Navy, the Black Knights have a very good defense that ranks 14th in the country allowing only 19.1 PPG. This Army defense will be more prepared than other team to face the Navy offense as it’s a mirror image of their offense they face each day in practice.
Despite Navy owning this rivalry for the last decade, the last two meetings were decided by a combined 11 points. Army lost by just four points last season despite being a three-touchdown underdog and has covered four of the last five games overall against the Midshipmen.
This is always an intense rivalry despite records and the fact that Navy will be without their star QB makes it more interesting. Army’s defense is very good and there is extra motivation after losing 14 straight times. I think the Black Knights keep this game close and could cover the +6 point spread but my money is going on the Under 47.5. I think this total is inflated and not adjusted with the loss of the Navy quarterback. I think the Black Knights defense will stand strong and this game features two rush happy offenses that chew up the clock.
