Army vs. Navy Game Pick ATS & Betting Analysis

Army vs. Navy Game Pick ATS & Betting Analysis

Darin Zank
Date: December 9, 3:00 pm
Location: Gillette Stadium
TV: CBS

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Army -2.5
Moneyline: Army -135/Navy +115
Total: 28.5

Army shoots to claim the Commanders-in-Chief's Trophy when it battles Navy Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, where the NFL’s Patriots used to play.

Neither of these teams made a bowl this season, so once again, this game is their bowl.

The Black Knights are lined as short favorites over the Midshipmen, but the underdogs are enjoying a nice recent run in this rivalry.

College Football Betting Odds

The college football betting market opened Army at -2.5 for Saturday, with an over/under of right around 28.5. Both figures were holding steady in the early betting action.

According to Sagarin's ratings, the line on this game should be 2.5 points. How ‘bout that.

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Army Betting Preview

The Black Knights ride a three-game winning streak into Saturday after beating Coastal Carolina three weeks ago 28-21. Army’s then had the last two weeks off to prepare for Saturday’s game.

The Knights popped out to a 21-7 lead on the Chanticleers in the second quarter, led 28-14 for most of the second half, won, and covered at -1.

Army out-rushed CCU 365-105 and blocked a punt for the second straight game.

The Knights started 2-1 this season, then lost five games in a row. And at least a couple of those losses were rather non-competitive. But Army then upset Air Force 23-3, then held off Holy Cross (FCS) 17-14, before beating Coastal Carolina.

But because two of the Cadets’ five wins this season came against FCS opponents, they will not play in a bowl, even with a victory Saturday..

Navy Betting Preview

Meanwhile Navy is coming off a bad 59-14 loss at SMU two weeks ago. The Midshipmen then also had last week off.

Navy, catching 18 points, allowed Mustangs touchdowns the first six times its defense hit the field, trailed 52-14 at the half, and mounted no challenge from there.

The Middies defense gave up 452 SMU yards in the first half alone!

Navy started 1-3 this season, with a bad loss to Notre Dame and a tough loss at a pretty good Memphis team. The Middies then won four of six to reach 5-5 but the loss to the Mustangs basically ended any hopes of making a bowl.

Common Opponents

These teams played one common opponent this season; Air Force. Army upset the Falcons 23-3, while Navy lost its match-up 17-6.

The Cadets won that game outright as 18-point dogs, while the Middies came up short ATS at +10.5.

These teams also played one Power 5 opponent this season; Navy lost to Notre Dame way back in Week 0 in Ireland 42-3, while Army lost at LSU six weeks ago 62-0.

Army-Navy Recent History

The Midshipmen dominated this rivalry for most of this century, winning 14 meetings in a row through 2015. But Army is turning this series around, winning five of the last seven meetings SU, going 6-2-1 ATS over the last nine.

Last year in Philadelphia, the Knights forced overtime with a late field goal, then won it in the second OT 20-17.

College Football Betting Trends

The underdog is 4-5 SU and 7-2 ATS over the last nine meetings in this series.

Totals Report

  • The Unders are 6-5 in Army games this season, which are averaging 43 total points.
  • The Unders are 7-4 in Navy games, which are averaging 41 points.
  • The Unders are 11-1 over the last 12 meetings between these teams and last year’s game only played Over a total of 32 because of overtime.

Free College Football Betting Pick

These teams are very equal, but the best unit on the field Saturday might be the Navy run defense, which limited opponents to 122 yards per game on the ground this season. Also, we make the Midshipmen good candidates for a bounce-back effort here after getting stomped their last time out against SMU. Also, while Army beat Air Force and Navy lost to the Falcons, that Knights victory was a bit fluke-ish, considering Air Force turned the ball over six times. The underdog’s enjoying a good run in this rivalry recently, and we’ll ride it with the Midshipmen for the win Saturday.

Free Pick: Take Navy +2.5
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