The Army Black Knights (8-3) and Navy Midshipmen (3-8) renew their classic rivalry Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Below, we look at the Army vs. Navy odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Army comes into this year’s edition of America’s Game having won four in a row following an Oct. 23 loss to ranked Wake Forest. The Black Knights own the nation’s second-best rushing average with 301.7 yards per game and are 20th with 35.5 points per game.
Navy went just 1-6 over its first seven games this fall but rallied to win two of its last four. USNA’s last four games include wins over Tulsa and Temple and a near-win in a well-played game against East Carolina.
The Black Knights are trying to beast the Middies for the fifth time in the last six meetings and a victory would seal the program’s fourth Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in the last five years.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Army vs. Navy odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:48 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Army -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Navy +265 (bet $100 to win $265)
- Against the spread (ATS): Army -7.5 (+100) | Navy +7.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 34.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Army vs. Navy odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Army 21, Navy 13
Money line
Figure the true odds as being obscured in the middle here. PASS.
Against the spread
Army is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight neutral site games and 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven meetings with Navy.
The Black Knights are better at keeping foes off schedule against the run, and Navy will likely have trouble putting together the dozen-play drives usually required for scoring in these games.
In the odd pass attempt now and then, Army does well to produce explosive plays. That ability and some wet, windy weather de-emphasizing the kicking game (where Navy has an advantage) make for enough leverage for the Knights.
The Long Gray Line gets a profitable line in this one: BACK ARMY -7.5 (+100).
Over/Under
The Under has hit 15 straight times between these two sides and is 17-4 in their last 21 meetings. On an iffy-weather day, with grinding offenses in a rivalry setting, TAKE THE UNDER 34.5 (-105).
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]