Army wasn’t too far away from appearing in the College Football Playoff in 2024.
The Black Knights started the season with nine straight wins and were ranked as high as No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25. But Army’s 49-14 loss to Notre Dame altered those CFP hopes.
Though Army also lost to Navy later in the season, the Black Knights still ended the year with an AAC Championship after beating Tulane 35-14 in the title game. Army also closed the year with a 27-6 victory over Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl.
Army has lost some star players, though, so will the Black Knights manage to keep playing at a high level? We’ll find out this week when they take on Tarleton State.
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Tarleton State vs. Army Betting Odds
Army is a -13.5 college football betting odds favorite against Tarleton State, with the Over/Under being 47.5.
The moneyline for Tarleton State is +400, while it’s -550 for Army.
Tarleton State vs. Army On TV
The matchup between Tarleton State and Army will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 29. The contest is taking place at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York.
Tarleton State vs. Army Prediction
I predict Army will win and cover the 13.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 47.5 total points.
Army’s offensive production in 2024 will be hard to replicate without quarterback Bryson Daily. But that doesn’t mean the Black Knights won’t put up some points.
At quarterback, Dewayne Coleman is expected to take on the starting role. He was Daily’s backup the past couple of years, and when Daily was out against Air Force last season, Coleman led the Black Knights to a victory. He ran for 42 yards on 16 carries and completed 5 of 8 passes for 48 yards in that game. Last season, Coleman ran for 136 yards and a touchdown while passing for 121 yards and another score on 11-of-16 passing.
Noah Short is back after ranking second on the team with 318 receiving yards while catching 17 passes and tying a team best with three touchdowns through the air. He was also third on the team with 569 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Hayden Reed ran for 207 yards and a score and caught six passes for 63 yards and another TD, and he is returning as well.
Up front, center Brady Small, a first-team All-AAC pick a year ago, and right guard Paolo Gennarelli, a second-team all-conference pick, are back.
Army’s defense, which was fourth in the FBS in scoring defense (15.5 points per game allowed) and top 10 in the country in total defense (297.9 yards per game allowed), should be solid again.
Andon Thomas is back after making the all-conference third team in 2024. He led Army with 93 tackles to go with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
All-AAC honorable mention linebacker Kalib Fortner is also returning. He racked up 76 tackles, two sacks, and three passes defended a year ago.
Cornerback Jaydan Mayes and safety Casey Larkin are also back after leading the team with four and three interceptions, respectively. Mayes added 29 tackles with three passes defended and a forced fumble, while Larkin totaled 50 tackles and two passes defended.
In fact, six of Army’s top 10 tacklers from a year ago are on the roster this year. The Black Knights have plenty of continuity on that side of the ball, which indicates this unit has a chance to be just as good as it was in 2024.
I think the Black Knights will win this game decisively and help themselves set the tone for the rest of the season.
