Game of the day: Army vs Navy (Compl of MSI)
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Army vs Navy
Let's
admit it. With no midweek action, we are all suffering from college
football withdrawal. Thankfully there's one last regular season game
left in the annual rivalry game between Army (5-6, 4-7 against the
spread) and Navy (8-4, 7-5 ATS) CBS 2:30 p.m. EST.
The Line and Weather
The line for the game opened at 14 and it has seen little or no movement as of Friday.
This
marks the sixth time in the last seven years that Navy has been a
double digit favorite in this series. The Midshipmen have also covered
the spread seven times in the last 10 versus Army.
It should be noted that the last four games Navy has been favored, it has failed to cover the spread.
Army
was just 2-7 ATS during its first nine games, but has covered the
spread in its last two. The last time the Knights covered against Navy
was in 2006 when they lost 26-14 as 19-point underdogs.
The
total sits at 41 at most sportsbooks and it has seen little movement.
Both teams have a combined 8-15 record on totals this season.
All
signs point to the under with Army averaging 16.5 points and going 3-8
on the over/under. The last three Navy games have also gone under, but
bettors should keep in mind the Midshipmen have only dealt with a
number this low one other time this year. The game went 10 points over
the total in a 27-24 loss to Temple.
The 110th meeting between
Army and Navy will be played on turf at Lincoln Financial Field in
Philadelphia. It will be a sunny day but a low of 29 is expected. Winds
will be going west (sideline to sideline) at approximately 13 mph.
Naval Blockade
Respect
should be given to both academies and the traditions associated with
this contest, but as for the actual game, it?s probably been the most
boring rivalry in college football. Navy currently holds a seven-game
winning streak and none of those games have been competitive.
In
the two most recent games, the Army Black Knights failed to score a
single touchdown, with the Midshipmen winning 34-0 last year and 38-3
in 2007.
The two programs have been headed in different
directions. Navy about to play in its seventh straight bowl game and
while Army has a losing season streak that dates back to 1996.
Army Turnaround
Things
look a little differently this time around for Army. For the first time
in 13 years, the Black Knights have five wins and they will head into
this game with momentum from two dramatic fourth-quarter wins against
VMI and North Texas.
The comeback win against North Texas was
highlighted by a blocked field goal and a 55-yard run on a broken play
by freshman QB Trent Steelman. Those two key plays set up the eventual
game winning touchdown. An upset win over Navy would also guarantee a
spot in the Eagle Bank Bowl.
Triple Option vs. Triple Option
All
year long we've heard about spread offenses and how to stop them so
football fans may find some relief in the run heavy focus of both
teams. Army ranks 14th in rushing yards averaging 212.1 yards per game,
while Navy ranks third and is averaging 279.7. It?s no shocker that
these teams rank 119th and 120th in passing yards.
If Army is to
keep this game close they'll have to stop junior QB Ricky Dobbs from
making big plays. Dobbs has 27 total TDs this year and he's rushed for
100 plus yards five times. A key battle will be the Navy's tackles
against Army defensive end Josh McNary, who is fourth in the nation in
sacks with 12.
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