Army is a 7-point underdog to Navy Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The line is a little lower than most expected considering Navy (7-4) has won 10 straight games over Army (2-9).
Navy rallied for a 28-21 overtime win at Air Force in October. Army handily defeated Air Force 41-21 at West Point to set up the winner-take-all matchup for the Commander in Chief’s Trophy.
Army won its last CIC Trophy in 1996. Navy won seven straight CIC Trophies from 2003-2009.
The Black Knights have the nation’s top rushing offense (379 yards) and the second-worst run defense (286 yards).
Talent-wise, Army has closed the gap. The offense has a few more options (weapons) than Navy. Navy’s defense is much more consistent than Army.
Sal Interdonato (Times Herald-Record Army football beat writer: Army 28, Navy 24. Army will win the game if it controls some clock, finishes drives with touchdowns and plays turnover free. The Black Knights usually have a fumble or mistake, which costs them in this game. Can see the outcome decided in the fourth quarter. Army quarterback Trent Steelman will score the winning touchdown in the final minutes to give Army its first win over Navy since 2001.
Will Montgomery (Times Herald-Record sports reporter): Navy 35, Army 21
Genie Abrams (Times Herald-Record copy editor): Army 17, Navy 7. Reason: “Karma.”
Bill Wagner (Annapolis, Md. Capital Gazette): Navy 31, Army 24
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