Navy is coming off an 11-2 season and the expectations are high once again. The Midshipmen have the best odds to win the American Conference at +360, via BetMGM.
College football betting odds have their win total at Over/Under 7.5 games with the Over at -160 and the Under at +125.
Here are my game-by-game predictions for Navy:
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Sept. 5 vs. Towson
Prediction: Win
This is only the second game between these two Maryland schools, with Navy winning in 2008. FCS Towson, coming off a 6-6 season, gets a little advantage in that the Tigers will have a game under their belt, opening Aug. 27 at home against Maine. But to me, it shouldn’t matter.
Sept. 12 at Florida Atlantic
Prediction: Win
Last year, Navy won an offensive shootout, 42-32 at home against FAU. Even though Navy will have to deal with a quality quarterback in Caden Veltkamp, I think the Midshipmen should prevail.
Sept. 25 at UAB
Prediction: Win
Navy earned a 38-24 victory in last year’s home meeting against UAB, giving the Midshipmen a 3-0 lead in their series. Navy will be coming off a bye while UAB is at Louisiana the previous week.
Oct. 3 at Air Force
Prediction: Win
Navy finished with 517 total yards and needed every one of them in last year’s 34-31 home win over Air Force. The Midshipmen will have to contain dual-threat QB Liam Szarka, who threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 152 yards and two scores in the loss to the Midshipmen.
Oct. 10 vs. Tulsa
Prediction: Win
After three straight road games, the Midshipmen return home. Last year, Navy won 42-23 at Tulsa, which is not expected to be among the contenders in the American Conference.
Oct. 17 at UTSA
Prediction: Loss
This will be the first-ever meeting between these two programs. UTSA QB Owen McCown is a serious candidate for American Conference Player of the Year, and the Roadrunners should be improved after going 7-6 last year.
Oct. 24 vs. North Texas
Prediction: Win
Navy will be out for revenge after suffering its lone American Conference loss last season, 31-17 at North Texas. The Mean Green should be in rebuilding mode after several key players and their coach have departed.
Oct. 31 vs. Notre Dame
Prediction: Loss
Last year, dynamic quarterback Braxton Woodson made his only start for injured Blake Horvath in a 49-10 loss at Notre Dame. Woodson, who should take command of the offense this season, rushed for 101 yards and a TD against the Fighting Irish. This year’s game, which takes place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, could be closer but not enough for a Navy upset.
Nov. 7 vs. Temple
Prediction: Win
Temple appears to be vastly improved after going 5-7 in KC Keeler’s first season as head coach. Last year, Temple gave Navy a major scare before the Midshipmen earned a 32-31 win in Philadelphia. This should be another closely contested game.
Nov. 21 vs. Memphis
Prediction: Win
Navy will be coming off a bye week while Memphis will have eight full days off after visiting South Florida on Nov. 12. Last year, Navy won 28-17 at Memphis and being home should provide the same result this year.
Nov. 28 at Charlotte
Prediction: Win
Charlotte should be better in head coach Tim Albin’s second season after going 1-11. But I don’t think it will be enough to beat Navy.
Dec. 12 vs. Army
Prediction: Loss
In not an entirely impossible scenario, these two teams could meet the previous week in the American Conference championship game. Both should compete for a berth in the title game. As for this game, which is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Army will be looking for revenge after last year’s 17-16 loss to Navy.
Navy Football Season Prediction
I predict Navy will go Over 7.5 wins. The Midshipmen only had one American Conference defeat last season but lost out in the three-way tiebreaker to Tulane and North Texas. Once again, Navy should be a viable contender.
