JEFF ALLEN GAME PREVIEW: ARMY vs. NAVY
One of the top rivalries in college football renews today as the 6-5 Army Cadets take on the 9-3 Navy Midshipmen at
M&T Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Navy has won a series high 14 straight but Army has covered four of the last
five with only one game decided by more than a touchdown. This is an interesting spot for both teams as Army has
not played since November 19th while Navy plays for the eight straight week after losing the AAC championship game to Temple while losing their record breaking starting quarterback and a top back on the same play in that play.
It’s been a great football year for the military academies with all three going to Bowls this year. The game have taken
taken action since the number was released opening at Navy -10 with the total of 55. Once the news was out that the
top two Middie QB’s would be out for the season the number was adjusted to Navy -7 while the total. (historically and under), was hammered all the way down to 47. At this writing, more Army money has sent the line plunging to Navy -4/-4.5 while the total has seen take back and is now 47.5 across the board. It will be perfect football weather with the forecast for mostly sunny and game time temps in the low 30s.
Navy will go with reserves after losing starter Wirth (1196 yards rushing, 1397 passing) and key back and co-capt. Gulley (9.9 ypc, 427, 4 TDs). Soph Zack Abbey had a nice stat game after stepping in relief but threw two key picks that kept Navy from ever getting back in the game. Army mauled Morgan State in their finally but faltered somewhat the second half of the season. The run defense is staunch and allows less than four yards per carry under third year DC Jay Bateman. Obviously the teams are familiar with each other and their schemes. The recent history has been very competitive.
The last ten games in the series have all gone under the total so the furious action on the LOW early in the week indicates a possible rare bad line from linesmakers. Prior to Temple, Navy was averaging a tick better than 62 ppg but allowed 34+ in their last four. Obviously we’ll see a different Navy team here than we’ve seen the last six weeks. Despite not winning straight up, Army is +9 in the turnover battle which accounts for the Cadets ATS success.
World Champion handicapper Jeff Allen has thoughts on the side and the total and this plays are available on Jeff Allen’s home site of www.vegasscoresandodds.com.