Nine years have passed since Army’s program-changing win over Navy at M&T Bank Stadium.
Army returns to Baltimore Saturday for the first time since ending its 13-game losing streak to Navy in 2016.
Since the streak buster, the Black Knights have won five of the last eight meetings against the Midshipmen. Navy hasn’t won consecutive games in the series over that stretch.
Could that change in the 126th edition of the Army-Navy game? The odds are against Army as the Black Knights (6-5) are 6-point underdogs.
Both Army and Navy defeated Air Force by three points to put the Commander in Chief’s trophy on the line. Navy is the defending CIC champion by virtue of a 31-14 win over Army last season.
Army hasn’t scored more than 21 points during the current nine-year series stretch. The Black Knights are averaging 23.3 points per game in their six wins this season and have won two games scoring 20 or less points.
Navy had allowed 31 or more points in six straight games until its 28-17 win over Memphis in its last game.
Looking forward to the matchup of Army three-year starting center and American Conference first-team selection Brady Small against American Conference defensive player of the year and Sports Illustrated first-team all-American Landon Robinson. Can Army’s offensive line neutralize Robinson? If Small and company can, Army increases its chances of winning.
Sal Interdonato (Black Knight Nation): Navy 28, Army 20.
Seth Mendelson (Black Knight Nation): Navy 31, Army 10. Try as they may, the Black Knights can’t match Navy’s firepower this year. Plus, Navy’s defense is very good, making it that much harder for Army.
Cuthbert Hutton (Sidelines Army): Army 24, Navy 22. Navy’s high powered misdirection offense v Army’s brut force “we both know where we are going” offense. Expect Navy to be able to move the ball well, but if Army can limit them to only big plays and not big touchdowns, the bend don’t break system will keep Army in the game. Army offensive effectiveness will be determined by the matchup of the day: Army center Brady Small (1st Team AC) vs Navy nose-tackle Landon Robinson (AC DPOY). Army bows their back, and re-takes CIC.
Bill Wagner (Capital Gazette Navy beat writer): Navy 28, Army 21. I think Army will succeed in shortening the game and thereby holding Navy below its season scoring average. However, Navy’s ability to create explosive plays will be the difference and I really cannot see the offense being held to less than 24 points. Army does not have the firepower to match that type of output.”
Price Atkinson (Yards and Stripes): Navy 24, Army 20. Why? Navy’s dynamic offense with senior playmakers at every skill position led by quarterback Blake Horvath. I think will be the difference in leading the Mids to some big plays. However, as we all know, motivation is a big factor and Army will be playing an edge after coming up short last year.
Ryan West (cfbdepth.com): Navy 24, Army 17. Think this game is going to be the same script that it usually is especially with the weather being what it is in Baltimore. Cold day so each offense will try to keep the other on the sideline. On paper, you have to like Navy based on their season performance and just pure talent advantage especially at the skill positions. I think Army will to no surprise be up for this game and will push Navy’s defense, which has shown leaks at times. In the end, I’m taking the quarterback I trust more in Blake Horvath and the offense that is more explosive overall.
