Six weeks into the 2024 season, Navy was in a position to possibly make the College Football Playoff.
But after the Midshipmen lost to Notre Dame, and especially after they lost at Rice, those expectations changed. Nonetheless, Navy closed the year with a victory over Army to win the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy. The Midshipmen then defeated Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl to finish the year out with a 10-3 overall record.
Considering how much talent comes back after last year, there’s reason to believe Navy will contend for an American Conference title and a CFP berth again in 2025. First, the Midshipmen will want to have a good start to the season.
VMI vs. Navy Betting Odds
Navy is a -41.5 college football betting odds favorite against VMI, with the Over/Under being 52.5.
VMI vs. Navy On TV
The matchup between VMI and Navy will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Aug. 30. The contest is taking place at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
VMI vs. Navy Prediction
I predict Navy will win and cover the 41.5-point spread.
Many believe Navy will compete for the American Conference title. And that’s in no small part because of who the Midshipmen have at quarterback.
Blake Horvath is back after rushing for 1,246 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. He also threw for 1,353 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions on a 57.6% completion rate.
Navy also returns three of its top playmakers from a season ago.
Alex Tecza was second on the team with 576 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while ranking third with 229 yards and two touchdowns on 12 catches.
Eli Heidenreich was first among the Midshipmen with 571 yards and six touchdowns on 39 catches and was third with 444 yards and three touchdowns rushing.
Brandon Chatman caught the second-most passes on the team with 18 receptions for 257 yards and four scores. He was also top five among Navy players with 250 yards and three touchdowns rushing.
Up front, Ben Purvis is among Navy’s top returners after being the team’s primary left guard and earning All-AAC honorable mention accolades.
On defense, the Midshipmen also bring back some solid players. Nose guard Landon Robinson is one of the team’s top returners after earning first-team all-conference honors in 2024, a season in which he totaled 61 tackles, 5.5 for loss, as well as four sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles.
Linebacker Luke Pirris is the team’s leading returning tackler. He totaled 68 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries, one interception, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery, and one forced fumble a year ago.
I simply think Navy is the better team and will win by a wide margin.
