Army-Navy Game: Electric QBs Highlight The 125th Meeting

It’s been a memorable season for both Army and Navy. 

Not only did both programs more than exceed expectations, it was the first time since 1960 both teams were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 at the same time. This came after Army started 6-0 and Navy started 5-0. 

College football betting odds had Army’s preseason win total at 6.5 and Navy’s at 5.5.

That 5-0 start was the high point of the season for the Midshipmen, however. They fell out of the poll after losing to Notre Dame two weeks later and then lost the next week to Rice. They went on to win two of their final three regular season games including wins at South Florida and East Carolina. 

Still, the Midshipmen finished the regular season 8-3 and won the most games they have since 2019 when they went 11-2. 

Quarterback Blake Horvath was injured in the first quarter in Navy’s contest against Tulane and was forced to miss the ECU contest. Good news for the Midshipmen is Horvath is expected to be available for Saturday’s game.

Horvath ranks fourth in the AAC in rushing touchdowns (13) and rushing yards per game (89.5). 

As good as Horvath has been, though, Army QB Bryson Daily has been a little bit better. Daily ranks fourth in the FBS with 134.5 rushing YPG and his 29 rushing TDs are tied with Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty for most in the country.

There was plenty of talk that Daily should be a finalist for the award himself, but that didn’t transpire. 

In Army’s first season in the AAC, Daily’s 29 rushing TDs broke the league’s single-season record as he guided the Black Knights to a conference title. They dominated Tulane in the AAC Championship, winning 35-14. The game wasn’t even as close as the three-touchdown margin suggests. The win bumped Army up five spots in the AP Top 25 to No. 19, and the Black Knights finished No. 22 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The victory also further illustrates why Army should be the favorite in this matchup, which is the 125th meeting between these programs. The Black Knights are a 6.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is set at 38.5. 

Last year’s Over/Under was at a mere 28 points, which resulted in a push following the 17-11 Army victory. This matchup has hit the Over just once since 2005. Army also covered the spread last year as a 2.5-point favorite.

It was the second win in a row in this matchup for Army and the sixth win in the last eight meetings. This comes after Navy dominated the series in the first part of the century, winning all but one game from 2000-15.

Now it looks like Army head coach Jeff Monken’s squad has taken control of the rivalry. 

Army-Navy Prediction

I predict Army wins but Navy covers the 6.5-point spread. I also predict the total to go Over 38.5 points, mainly because of the electric QB play on both sides.

Typically, the success of these programs during the season gets thrown out the window when it comes to this game. I don’t think Army’s season can be neglected, though. There’s a reason the spread went from a pick ’em to the Black Knights being a near-touchdown favorite. They’ve just been dominant all season on both sides of the ball. 

The only time Army really looked vulnerable was the Week 11 loss to Notre Dame. There have been a few lapses throughout the year, but the Black Knights have figured out how to win in multiple ways.

I think they find a way to win again here in what could be one of the more exciting editions of one of college football’s greatest rivalries.