2008 EagleBank Bowl: Navy Midshipmen (8-4) Vs Wake Forrest Demon Deacons (7-5) Preview

The 2008-2009 BCS Bowl season kicks-off at 11 am Eastern time on Saturday 20 December 2008. The Navy Midshipmen (8-4) take on Wake Forrest (7-5) at the RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl. The Midshipmen are coming off a 34-0 drubbing of service rival Army. Wake Forrest is coming into the game off a solid victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores, 23-10. The Deacons, however, went 4-4 after losing to Navy earlier in the season when they were ranked 16^th nationally. That victory was Navy's first over a ranked opponent since 1985, and they have gone 6-2 since upsetting Wake Forrest. This will be the first time in 63 years that Wake has played the same team twice in one season!

Navy Trends

Earlier in the season when Navy defeated Wake Forrest, the Mids defense led the way. They held Wake Forrest to 43 yards rushing and shut them out until the third quarter. Building on the earlier successes, the Navy defense has not allowed a point to be scored in their last two games. Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada returned to the Navy offensive lineup from injury against army, which gives the Mids a third rushing threat behind Shun White and Eric Kettani who combined for almost 2000 yards this season. Look for the Mids to rely on what has made them successful the last six years - the run. Navy led the nation in rushing yards with 298.3 yards per game. Look for Sophomore Ricky Dobbs to make appearances at QB when the mids look to throw based on the offensive progression in the game as well.

Wake Forrest Demon Deacons

Wake Forrest is playing in a bowl for the third year in a row for the first time in school history. The Deacons had higher expectations for this season after going 9-4 last year, but the offense has been less than stellar. Although the Deacons have quality victories over Ole Miss, Florida State, and Vanderbilt, their offense is 103^rdin the nation in total offense (315.8) and 101^st in rushing (111.6). Perhaps the most telling statistic on the Deacons offensive woes is that they are 20 - 41 in scoring touchdowns from the red zone. To have a shot against Navy, Wake Forrest quarterback Riley Skinner will need to control the ball better and not have a repeat of his 4 interception performance in the previous Navy game.

Prediction

Navy enters the EagleBank Bowl looking for their 9^th win of the season. If the Mids can pull off their second defeat of Wake Forrest this year, they will be in a good position to potentially make the top 25 rankings! Odds for the game have the Midshipmen as 3 point underdogs. Our prediction is the Mids upset the Demon Deacons and win the EagleBank bowl 27-10!