Navy vs. Army Picks, Predictions and Odds: Celebrating the 125th Meeting Between the Academies

• Army won last year’s meeting 17-11

• Army also won six of the last eight matchups dating back to 2016

• Navy had the week off last week, while Army won its conference championship game

One of college football’s most iconic rivalries will take center stage as the standalone matchup in the sport on Saturday as the Navy Midshipmen (8-3) take on the No. 22 Army Black Knights (11-1).

Both teams had highly impressive seasons. Navy slowed down toward the end of the year, while Army was in the conversation for a spot in the College Football Playoff all the way up until the final bracket was released by the CFP committee.

Navy leads the all-time series, which began in 1890, 62-55-7. We will share our thoughts on this year’s matchup and, most importantly, share our best Navy vs. Army betting picks. 

Navy vs. Army Odds 

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Navy vs. Army Predictions 

Both teams resemble one another in their approach to the game. They want to run the air out of the football, make the game about the fine margins, and hold their opponent’s offense at bay.

Navy ranked fifth in the country with 246.2 rushing yards per game, the majority of which came from QB Blake Horvath. The junior QB scored 24 total touchdowns and only threw four interceptions, though he failed to break 100 yards rushing in four of his last five games after eclipsing that mark in three of five to start the season.

Behind Horvath is a committee of running backs and fullbacks that all get the chance to leave their mark. The next three players in the pecking order averaged at least five yards per carry and helped the Midshipmen rank 34th in EPA per play on runs.

Navy struggled mightily on third down, only converting 34.5 percent of its attempts (112th). They took more chances through the air than they did in years past, but they still did not lean into the passing game. Notably, he went 7/13 for 88 yards, an interception, and had 129 yards and a rushing TD in Navy’s matchup with No. 12 Notre Dame.

Navy quietly had one of the most efficient defenses in the country. They ranked 14th in yards allowed per point (16.5) despite being 67th in yards allowed per play.

On the other side, Army’s only loss all season was also to Notre Dame (49-14). Senior QB Bryson Daily was outstanding and racked up 37 total touchdowns, only threw one interception, and averaged 5.6 yards per carry en route to 1,480 yards, good for ninth in the country.

Daily posted similar numbers to Horvath in his matchup with the Fighting Irish, going 4/8 for 26 yards and running 38 times for 145 yards and both of his team’s two touchdowns. He also dazzled in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game against Tulane, picking up 126 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries while the defense surrendered just 14 points.

Army posted the highest average time of possession in the entire country. While they too trusted their QB through the air more than they did in recent history, they mostly went away from the pass as the year progressed and stuck to their guns on the ground (pun intended). 

Unlike Navy, Army converted 48.2 percent of its third-down attempts (10th). Its defense also ranked fifth in yards allowed per point and, fittingly, was 70th in EPA per play. Navy was 69th.

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Navy vs. Army: My Pick

• My Pick: Navy to cover the spread at +6.5 (-112) via FanDuel

This is a matchup between two teams that are intimately familiar with the way that each other wants to play. Both have quarterbacks that performed extremely well over the course of the season and look to dissect defenses in the same manner, and the teams mostly produced similar metrics.

Army will have a ton of confidence following its conference championship win, whereas Navy will be well-rested since it didn’t have to play last week. The last three matchups were decided by six or fewer points, and that leads us to believe that taking the underdog with the points could be a savvy play.

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How to Watch Navy vs. Army

• When: Saturday, Dec. 14 @ 3:00 p.m. ET

• Where: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD

• Watch: CBS/Paramount+

Navy vs. Army Best Promos and Sportsbooks

All of the best online sportsbooks have the line set at 6.5 points in Army’s favor.

Army bettors will find the best deal at bet365, where they are -6.5 (-110). Navy bettors should look to BetMGM or Caesars, where they are +6.5 (-105).

Anyone who bets on Navy vs. Army at FanDuel sportsbook can win $150 in bonus bets with a winning $5 wager. More of our favorite promos can be found in the table below.

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Navy vs. Army Injuries

Navy Injuries

• Blake Horvath (QB) - Questionable (ribs)

• Tyler Bradley (RB) - Questionable 

Army Injuries

• Anderson Britton (K) - Out (knee)

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