College Football Odds – Army vs Navy Pick

It’s not the best sports betting rivalry out there but most football fans still enjoy watching Army and Navy renew their hostilities every December. Lately, it’s been pretty embarrassing for Army. Can the Black Knights return to respectability after seven straight losses? 

Army Black Knights vs Navy Midshipmen

Saturday, December 12, 2:30 p.m. ET

Sportsbook favorite: Navy -14 

As much as we want to build up the epic clash between storied schools, the rivalry has sagged in recent years. On paper, it looks close – Navy has the 53-49-7 edge in 109 meetings – but Navy has pummeled Army seven times in a row and the gap has widened in recent years. The Midshipmen shut the Black Knights out 34-0 last year and have a 72-3 edge over the last two games.

Army fans will tell you that this season is different – that their Black Knights will shock the world like Giants did in Super Bowl betting
two years ago. It’s at least true that the pieces are slowly coming together for an Army turnaround. Freshman quarterback Trent Steelman showed promise this season, though he excelled more as a runner than a passer. He led Army with 690 rushing yards on 191 carries and five scores. It’s too bad Army hasn’t let him loose in the passing game, however. Steelman attempted just 90 passes this season and now faces the nation’s 60th-ranked pass defense.

It’s clear that Army has weapons to make this year’s game somewhat closer but we can’t get carried away. Essentially, Navy is just a better version of Army. Army was 14th in the country in rushing and Navy was third. Quarterback Ricky Dobbs outdid Steelman as a scrambler, running for 23 scores on 252 carries. Running back Vince Murray amassed 884 rushing yards of his own and showed major explosiveness when he gashed Hawaii for 248 yards.  

Don’t expect another 34-0 walloping, as Army has improved and Navy’s “D” isn’t that good this season. But don’t expect a nailbiter either. Navy will have to work harder than normal but should cover the spread.  

NCAA football odds pick: Navy -14