Saturday’s Army-Navy Game is among the most anticipated matchups in recent history.
Army, in its first year in the American Athletic Conference, went 11-1 and won the league title over a nine-win Tulane squad. Navy rattled off eight wins this year, including meaningful victories over 10-win Memphis and rival Air Force. Army also has a win over Air Force, meaning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is at stake.
Despite bowl games also beginning Saturday, the majority of the college football world will turn its attention to the annual Army-Navy Game at 3 p.m. Those fans will be treated to a battle between two of the best Group of Five programs in the country.
Like most major sporting events, increased interest from fans means increased attention from bettors. Here’s what the sports betting odds can tell us about this year’s matchup.
What are the odds?
Spread: Army by 6 1/2 points (FanDuel)
Total: 39 1/2 points
Moneyline: Army -245, Navy +198
The Black Knights are the betting favorite, and they’ve thrived against the spread this season. Army is an impressive 8-4 against the spread this fall. Navy is impressive in its own right, going 7-4 against the spread in 2024. Both teams have surpassed preseason expectations and proven to be among the best teams in the AAC, and those successes are reflected in their betting records.
Navy games have a slight tendency to go over the point total this season, with seven of 11 Navy games going over the projected point total. Seven of Army’s 12 games have gone over the total as well.
Unlike previous seasons, both Army and Navy score at a high clip because of superstar quarterbacks Bryson Daily (Army) and Blake Horvath (Navy). Horvath will play Saturday after missing the regular-season finale because of injury.
“It’s gonna be a great challenge to defend them,” Navy coach Brian Newberry told the media. “They’ve done a great job of sustaining drives this year, and it’s hard to get them off the field.”
Newberry credited Army’s ability to consistently convert on third downs, including third-and-longs. The Black Knights are converting 50.3% of their third-down attempts, the fourth-best mark in the FBS. They’ve also converted 25 times on fourth down, making it nearly impossible to force them to punt on a regular basis.
“Best Army team I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Newberry, who joined Navy’s coaching staff in 2019.
High-scoring showdown?
In previous years, sports bettors flocked to bet Army-Navy unders. What about this year? In the words of the legendary Lee Corso, not so fast!
These Army and Navy teams are offensive juggernauts, at least in comparison with previous seasons. Both teams average more than 30 points a game, and each defense has struggled at times to stop the run. Given the desire of each team to run the football, that could lead to a bunch of points.
Army ranks 109th nationally in rushing defense success rate, while Navy checks in at 83rd. The two offenses are tied for sixth nationally in rushes of at least 30 yards this season, with each team having 15 such runs. This game could feature explosive plays from each offense, breaking the mold of a traditional Army-Navy game.
“They’re really good at what they do,” Army coach Jeff Monken told reporters this week. “They’ve been really good at quarterback, and that I think is important if you’re gonna have a team that’s gonna be good and an offense that’s gonna be good. Gotta be good at that position, and they are.”
Army’s Daily and Navy’s Horvath rank first and fourth, respectively, in rushing yards per game among AAC players. They’re both adept passers, too, leading two of the nation’s most efficient and unique offensive attacks.
Each team has the ability to create big plays in the passing game. Both Army and Navy rank in the top three nationally in yards per completion, with each squad averaging more than 16 yards per completed pass. There’s a reason these two teams are a combined 19-4 and Army won a conference championship.
While neither defense is a slouch, these are two of the best Army and Navy offenses in recent memory. Expecting a “shootout” might be a stretch, but look for the teams to combine for at least 40 points this weekend.
Best bet: Over 38 points (Caesars Sportsbook)
Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin.
125th Army-Navy Game
Saturday, 3 p.m.
at Northwest Stadium, Landover
TV: CBS
Radio: 1430 AM