Navy Football - Navy Midshipmen(7-4) Vs Army Black Knights (3-8) Preview and Predictions

On Saturday 6 December 2008, the Navy Midshipmen (7-4) host the Army Black Knights at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA in the annual service Academy rivalry. The Midshipmen are coming off of a 16-0 shutout over the Northern Illinois Huskies the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and are surging towards their sixth bowl appearance in a row coming up in the EagleBank Bowl. Army is entering the game having lost three straight games and not winning a game since October. The Black Knights last loss was a 30 - 3 drubbing by Rutgers on 22 November.

Navy Trends

The Army - Navy matchup has been a bit lopsided the last five years with Navy going for their sixth consecutive victory over the Black Knights this Saturday. Sophomore Ricky Dobbs rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown in his first start of the season against Northern Illinois and should have a big game against the Cadets. Fullback Eric Ketanni chipped in for 92 yards against the Huskies and also looks to be a force against the Black Knights. Look for Dobbs to start again if Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada and Jarod Bryant remain injured or enter the game at less than 100 percent. Look for Navy to potentially go to the air more often this year against Army if Dobbs starts at quarterback to take advantage of the weak Cadet secondary.

Army Black Knights

Army enters the game on a three game losing streak this season, and down five games in a row to Navy. Army plays a similar option-orientated style of offense as the Midshipmen, so the game has the potential to be a battle of containing the rushing game for both teams. Army's offense hinges around Full Back Collin Mooney and Quarterback Chip Bowden's ability to establish the rushing game. The Black Knight's have demonstrated an exceptionally weak secondary the last few games and may be susceptible to the passing game if Navy decides to mix in more throws than normal this Saturday.

Prediction

Navy enters this game already going to the EagleBank Bowl. If the Midshipmen can pull off their eighth victory of the season, they will be in a good position to go for 9 wins this season and a potential top-25 ranking!

Odds for the game have the Midshipmen as 11 point favorites. Our prediction is the Mids will cover the spread and achieve their eighth victory of the season!