Army football opens the 2025 season as a 14.5-point home favorite against FCS Tarleton State Friday night at Michie Stadium.
Army coach Jeff Monken said earlier this week that Tarleton State has the talent to compete at the FBS level and the American Conference. The Texans opened their season with a convincing 42-0 win at Portland State.
Is it to Tarleton State’s advantage in playing a game? The Texans did have to travel back from the West Coast last weekend and now make the trip to East Coast and West Point this week.
Army is 9-2 in home openers under Jeff Monken including eight of its last nine.
Army senior quarterback Dewayne Coleman leads the Black Knights’ offense in his second career start.
Former Army tight end Danny Joiner caught a 4-yard TD pass in Tarleton State’s opener. Joiner played one game for the Black Knights in 2021 before transferring to Southeast Missouri State the last three seasons.
Prediction time
Sal Interdonato (Black Knight Nation): Army 28, Tarleton State 17. This may be Army’s toughest test in its 5-game home slate. The Texans can be explosive on offense and opportunistic defensively. Army’s offensive line could be the key in wearing down Tarleton State and opening up the potential for some big plays.
Seth Mendelson (Black Knight Nation): Army 31, Tarleton State 17. On paper, Army faces a surprisingly, tough FCS team in Tarleton State. But the bigger Black Knights prevail in the first game of the Dewayne Coleman era.
Cuthbert Hutton (Sideline Sports Army): Army 26, Tarleton State 20. Army will come out conservative, expect less than 3 passes in the first half. Will be close until late in the third when Army will establish the winning lead, but don’t expect a runaway beat down. Tarleton St scores late to get close, but the game will be in hand. Hayden Reed will have +100 total yards, D-Cole will be have more 50 yards but less than 100 rushing and passing yards.
Predictions from around the college football universe
Pete Fiutak (College Football News): Army 37, Tarleton State 10
