Tag: Navy Football

College Football News Preview 2020: Navy Midshipmen

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Navy Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 11-2 overall, 7-1 in AAC
Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo, 13th year, 98-60
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 24
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 17
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 105

NOTE: Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Navy Midshipmen Offense 3 Things To Know

– You know what’s coming with the Navy offense. After the ground game sputtered just a wee bit – at least for this program – in 2018, the O hit the 4,000-yard rushing mark for the sixth time in seven years.

Step One is replacing 2,000-yard runner Malcolm Perry at quarterback. Sophomore Perry Olsen will get the first look to take over, but others will get a long look as the coaching staff plays around with the option. Essentially, the goal is to get as many good, quick runners on the field as possible.

CFN in 60 Video
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– As always, the passing game is along for the ride. If the receivers can connect on a few big plays a game, it’s doing its job. 6-5, 221-pound junior Mychal Cooper is a perfect fit – big frame, physical, and can get deep. He led the team with 18 catches averaging over 21 yards per catch, and 6-3, 200-pound Ryan Mitchell was able to make an impact on is eight grabs.

– The Midshipmen are used to replacing parts on the O line – experience with this group is always a luxury. The training system works, but there’s going to be some reworking to do on the left side and at center. All-star Billy Honaker is a great tackle to start with, and Justin Self is a versatile option who’ll take on a bigger role. It’ll end up working, especially because the backs are in place to make it all go.

Malcolm Perry was the team’s top runner, but Jamale Carothers and Nelson Smith are strong veteran inside backs – they combined for 21 touchdowns – and CJ Williams is the typical lightning-quick runner on the outside. In all, the top six running backs are expected to return.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Navy Midshipmen Defense 3 Things To Know

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Navy AD Remains Optimistic for Notre Dame Game in Dublin

Navy’s Athletic Director spoke positively about the chances of Notre Dame/Navy in Ireland this August. But did he also walk them back?

Each day that goes by seems to bring another quote from a head college football coach discussing contingency plans and hearing ideas of how a full college football season could still be played despite possibly starting late.  As much as that may be gaining steam, one important figure in Notre Dame’s season opener in Dublin, Ireland remained optimistic that game will still be played as scheduled.

Speaking to ESPN, Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk was spitting confidence about the end of August affair.

“We’re going to play it,” Gladchuk told ESPN. “We expect this to pass. We’re not naïve. We’re five months away from that game happening. There’s a lot that could happen in five months. If the economy and the United States are still shut down in five months, we all have significant issues, more so than a game in Dublin.”

Gladchuk didn’t walk back his “we’re going to play it” statement but he did come off a little less sold on the guarantee later in the ESPN article.

“The game is important, but nothing will supersede the medical issues and the direction we get from the medical authorities,” Gladchuk said. “As ambitious as we are, it’s got to be cleared and travel has to be cleared and international travel has to be cleared for that to be realistic.”

I wish I knew if there was going to be a game in Ireland or not but I don’t.  If you’ve read FIW for any length of time you’re aware that I’m not the most conifedent in this game being played in Ireland or college football starting as currently scheduled.  After reading the first comments from Gladchuk and his last one’s in the piece I get the feeling he’s like me:

Hoping for the best but being plenty realistic about the possibilities of that not happening.

Notre Dame’s 2019 Season Gets a Grade

I tend to agree with Kelly who said immediately following the 33-9 win over Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl that it was a good team who had one bad night.

What letter-grade would you give Notre Dame for their 2019 football season?

Perhaps this is an exercise that myself and Jeff Feyerer will do in the coming days but the USA TODAY’s Paul Myerburg did exactly that, giving all 130 FBS teams a letter grade.

One thing to remember about the grade is that it was given strictly on final win-loss record but it’s also graded based on expectations back in the pre-season.

24 teams nationwide received a letter grade of at least an “A-“, but Notre Dame was not one of them.

The Irish instead checked in with a “B+”, as did 14 other teams including Wisconsin, Penn State and Week One opponent, Louisville.

I don’t have much of a fuss to make about Myerburg’s grade for the Irish as it was a successful failure to quote “Apollo 13”.

Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish accomplished a lot, winning a 10 or more games for the third time in a row, something that had only been done once previously in school history.

But they lost their two biggest contests of the year at Georgia and Michigan, with the loss in Ann Arbor being a 45-14 disaster that will unfortunately be the first thing many remember the 2019 squad for.

I tend to agree with Kelly who said immediately following the 33-9 win over Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl that it was a good team who had one bad night.

Unfortunately that one bad night kept them from potential A-territory and out of the College Football Playoff conversation in November.

For that I can’t be as generous and give them even a B+, as good as some things were.

My grade for the year is a solid “B” as the Michigan disaster did occur while the biggest wins came against two teams Navy and Virginia who you won’t find in any post-season top 15.

For what it’s worth, Notre Dame’s 2019 opponents received the following grades:
A: Navy
A-: Georgia, Virginia
B+: Louisville
B: Iowa State
B-: Michigan, Virginia Tech
C+: Duke
C: Boston College, USC
D+: Bowling Green, Stanford
D: New Mexico

Notre Dame Football: How 2019 Opponents Fared in Bowl Season

For those keeping score, Fighting Irish foes from this season went 3-5 in their respective bowl games.

The 2019 bowl season has come and gone (for the most part, two games actually still remain) and all of Notre Dame’s opponents from the season that just wrapped up have finished their seasons.

How did all do in the post-season?

Let’s take a look:

Louisville Cardinals:
38-28 win over Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl to finish 8-5

Georgia Bulldogs:
26-14 win over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl to wrap-up 12-2

Virginia Cavaliers:
36-28 loss to Florida in the Orange Bowl to finish 9-5

USC Trojans:
49-24 loss to Iowa in the Holiday Bowl to finish 8-5

Michigan Wolverines:
35-16 loss to Alabama in the Citrus Bowl to finish 9-4

Virginia Tech Hokies:
37-30 loss to Kentucky in the Belk Bowl to finish 8-5

Navy Midshipmen:
20-17 win over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl to finish 11-2

Boston College Eagles:
Blown out 38-6 by Cincinnati in the Birmingham Bowl to finish 6-7

For those keeping score, Fighting Irish foes from this season went 3-5 in their respective bowl games.  New Mexico, Bowling Green, Duke and Stanford all failed to qualify for a bowl game.

Race To New Year’s Six Bowl Game: Boise State Still Needs Help

Here is how Boise State can earn a Cotton Bowl berth.

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Race To New Year’s Six Bowl Game: Boise State Still Needs Help

AAC is still in control.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Broncos fans want Navy, or a split AAC title

The final weekend of the regular season still has a lot on the line for what teams are in the mix for the Cotton Bowl bid from the Group of Five schools. To cut through all of the noise there are three teams that can earn this bad, and we can stretch it to a fourth but it is a big stretch.

The teams that have the best shot are Memphis, Cincinnati and Boise State. There is a scenario where Navy gets in and force some chaos but that is unlikely, however since chaos is fun that path will be mentioned.

In the latest College Football Playoff rankings, the order is Memphis at 18, Cincinnati at 19, Boise State at 20, and Navy unranked.

The Broncos have the easiest path to go undefeated over its final two games as they take on Colorado State and then Hawaii in the Mountain West title game. Boise State is heavily favored in both.

The Tigers and Bearcats are basically tied at the hip. These two teams play at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC this Friday and it could be a rematch the week later in the American title game.

If Memphis wins it will 100 percent be a rematch but if Memphis loses then they could be on the outside looking in. For it to not be a Bearcats vs. Tigers title game, it will require Navy to beat Houston, because in this scenario the Midshipman would be in the AAC title game with a better record.

If Navy loses to Houston it will be a Memphis vs. Cincinnati American title game. For the Middies to get in they need to win and Memphis lose.

For Boise State’s purposes and a potential Cotton Bowl berth, they would want Memphis and Cincinnati to split the final two games and give the American champ two losses. The College Football Playoff committee has never ranked a two-loss Group of Five champion over a one-loss ever, so those are odds Boise State should like.

An even better scenario would be for Navy to get into the championship game and beat Cincinnati. With Navy not ranked at the moment, they very likely would not move up high enough to surpass a Boise State team that will be around the late teens in the playoff rankings.

Also, if Navy wins the American the rankings just might be held since they play Army the week after the championship games. The committee noted in past years they would hold off the rankings but that was when Navy was ranked an in the conversation, them being not ranked probably means the committee would go with Boise State due to the difference in rankings.

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Watch: Chase Claypool’s Huge Day in Numbers vs. Navy

The four touchdowns on the day brought Claypool’s career total at Notre Dame to 15, which means his four today accounted for 26.6% of his career scores.  His season total also jumped from five to nine (44.4% total).

 

Chase Claypool had a career afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium, going for 117 yards receiving on seven receptions, four of which resulted in touchdowns.

It capped off a big week for Claypool who on Thursday accepted an invitation to participate in January’s Senior Bowl in preparation for the NFL Draft.

He spent Saturday having his best game to date in a Notre Dame uniform.  A few notes about what No. 83 accomplished this afternoon:

Claypool’s four touchdown receptions tie Maurice Stovall for the most-ever in a single game by a Notre Dame receiver.  Stovall accomplished his feat in a 49-23 win over BYU on October 22, 2005.

The four touchdowns on the day brought Claypool’s career total at Notre Dame to 15, which means his four today accounted for 26.6% of his career scores.  His season total also jumped from five to nine (44.4% total).

Claypool’s 47 yard touchdown reception from Ian Book that made the game 14-0 in Notre Dame’s favor was the longest reception his career.

Claypool’s dominating performance also earned him the game-ball from his head coach.

Chase Claypool and the rest of the senior class will play their final game at Notre Dame Stadium next Saturday when they welcome Boston College to town.  The 8-2 Fighting Irish and 5-5 Boston College Eagles will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. ET next Saturday and like all home games, can be seen on NBC.

View a few of Claypool’s touchdown receptions from his record day:

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Notre Dame 52, Navy 20 – Game Ball Awards

Khalid Kareem forced two fumbles early on and got Navy out of their game-plan offensively.

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No. 16 Notre Dame’s 52-20 rout of No. 23 Navy was sight for sore eyes, as the Irish dominated Navy in every part of the game until calling off the dogs in the second half.

When you dominate a game like Notre Dame did Saturday, especially in the first half, there were plenty of performances that were praise-worthy and deserving of our game-ball award had it been pretty much any other week, but we limit them down to one on both offense and defense to present you our FIW game ball awards for the Navy game.

Offense:

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Watch: Braden Lenzy Does Another Rocket Ismail Impression

Some things never get old. Seeing a No. 25 wearing blue and gold show off his blazing speed and burn an opponent for a touchdown is one of those.

On an afternoon known as the Chase Claypool celebration as he’s already put up four touchdown receptions but with the Irish leading 21-0 in the second quarter this afternoon we saw Braden Lenzy do another Rocket Ismail impression, getting behind the Navy defense for a 70 yard touchdown reception.

Some things never get old. Seeing a No. 25 wearing blue and gold show off his blazing speed and burn an opponent for a touchdown is one of those.

The Irish lead 45-3 at the time of this post. A pleasant change of pace for a Notre Dame/Navy game for the second year in a row.

Notre Dame/Navy: Injury Update (Pre-Game)

The good news is that Braden Kenzie appears back after dealing with fatigue issues.

As No. 16 Notre Dame gets set to kickoff against Navy, a couple of injury notes to keep an eye on for the game.

The Irish have been hit with injuries at the receiver position this season, dressing just four scholarship receivers last week at Duke.

The good news is that Braden Lenzy appears back after dealing with fatigue issues.

The bad news?

McKinley has pulled in 11 receptions and four touchdowns for Notre Dame this year.

The Race To A New Year’s Six Bowl Game: AAC Games This Week Could Shake Things Up

Where do the AAC contenders fare along with Boise State in terms for the Cotton Bowl?

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The Race To A New Year’s Six Bowl Game: Big AAC Games This Week Could Shake Things Up

Boise State needs the AAC’s help to move up.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Games to watch.

The latest College Football Playoff polls are out and the order of the Group of Five teams did not change with only a two-team gap now between Boise State and the current leaders which are Cincinnati which is No. 17 and Memphis sitting at 18.

The two teams in between No. 21 Boise State are Texas and Iowa but that could easily change as Iowa takes on a top 10 Minnesota team and Texas goes to Iowa State and the Longhorns have not been extremely reliable each week despite a few good wins.

What to look for this week is a pair of AAC games, plus one non-conference title that could allow Boise State to make a move. The Broncos face New Mexico and a win is expected.

AAC Games To Watch

No. 23 Navy at No. 16 Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. ET, TV: NBC (Irish -7.5)

This is a big game because if the Naval Academy can defeat Notre Dame then that will be the best win among any Group of Five team and push Navy up the rankings ahead of Boise State and in the cluster of Memphis and Cincinnati.

The only problem for the Middies is that they still need Memphis to lose to have a chance at the conference title in the AAC. Remember, a conference championship is required to earn the New Year’s Six spot from the Group of Five. Also, a Navy win keeps my dream chaos scenario alive of the Army vs. Navy game the week after championship Saturday to have meaning and delay the final College Football Playoff polls.

No. 18 Memphis at Houston, 3:30 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN2 (Tigers +10.5)

Don’t be fooled by the 3-6 Houston Cougars. They will at the very least put a scare into this Memphis team. The Cougars lost by only three points to SMU at home and hung sort of close with Cincy and lost by 15.

Being a road game makes it a bit tougher for Memphis, but their offense will probably be too much for Houston. Look for this game to crush the over which is set at 69.5 as the Tigers defense is not the type that will just shut down opponents.

No. 17 Cincinnati at South Florida, 7 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network (Cincinnati +14)

This is the least likely of an upset and the Bearcats should role into Raymond James Stadium and cruise to victory over the Bulls. The big games for Cincinnati come the following weeks when they take on both Temple and Memphis.

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Odds Of Winning Out

The importance of winning out and winning a conference title can not be understated, so we will use ESPN’s FPI for a closer look at the chances of teams going unscathed.

  • Boise State: 45.2 percent chance to win out, 74.5 percent to win its conference.
  • Appalachian State: 23.4 percent chance to win out, 33.5 percent to win its conference.
  • Cincinnati: 23.3 percent chance to win out, 63.7 percent to win its conference.
  • SMU: 14.4 percent chance to win out, eight percent to win its conference.
  • Memphis: 10.7 percent chance to win out, 16.6 percent to win its conference.
  • Navy: Two percent chance to win out, 10.2 percent to win its conference.

End Of Season Projected Rankings

Remember these rankings are not based on who is wherein a given week but rather where a one-loss team would fit in the pecking order. Since App State is back in the top 25 they need to be considered and reappear this week.

1. One-loss Cincinnati – This is pretty clear as the Bearcats are the highest-rated team and they play Memphis which would basically knock the Tigers out of consideration. However, a rematch with Memphis the following week would be interesting. (Next week we can look at wild scenarios)

Remaining Games: at USF, Temple, at Memphis

2. One-loss Memphis – In reality, Memphis and Cincinnati should be tied for the top spot. The Tigers play the Bearcats on the final week of the regular season and would then vault to the highest-rated Group of Five team. However, winning back-to-back games against one team is tough. Trust us, we went through that two seasons ago when Boise State and Fresno State played consecutively.

Remaining Games: at Houston, at USF, Cincinnati

3. One-loss Navy – Navy has the schedule with Notre Dame this week and wins there will put them in the conversation rankings-wise and maybe even make them the highest-ranked team in the Group of Five.

Even if they defeat Notre Dame, Navy has the problem of not even playing for its own conference title as Memphis owns the tie-breaker. Navy would need to have the Tigers lose to get back in the race.

Remaining Games: at Notre Dame, SMU, at Houston, Army

4. One-loss Boise State – The Broncos have the best odds to win out and win the Mountain West so that is a huge advantage compared to the other AAC teams. The only problem is the schedule does not allow for opportunities to move up on that merit alone. The Broncos need a two-loss AAC champ or a one-loss SMU champ who might be too far in the rankings to surpass Boise State, maybe.

All the Broncos can do is focus on winning and hope a team falters above them.

Remaining Games: New Mexico, at Utah State, at Colorado State

5. One-loss SMU – This one is interesting. The Mustangs dropped from the rankings and were essentially replaced with Appalachian State who defeated South Carolina. The Mustangs are a good team but its lack of defense caught up with them vs. Memphis.

SMU needs the Tigers to lose a game to move above them in the AAC standings, then SMU still has Navy to play in two weeks and it is on the road. That is a must-win game as well to stay atop of the AAC West.

The Mustangs late SOS could boost them ahead of Boise State and take the bid if both are league champs. SMU would play at least one ranked team down the stretch, maybe two if Navy upsets Notre Dame. If the Mustangs were to beat a top 20 Navy and Cincinnati teams would that be enough to jump them over a likely top 20 Boise State team?

Remaining Games: at Navy, Tulane

6. Two-loss Cincinnati – With the Bearcats having a cushy lead in its division they have a small margin of error. If they lose to Memphis but then turnaround and beat them in the AAC title game then there could be a scenario where they are the representative. The Bearcats more than likely would drop behind a one-loss Boise State heading into championship Saturday but what happens if they beat a top 15 Memphis team, would the committee jump them ahead of the Broncos?

7. One-loss Appalachian State – Beating South Carolina and re-entering the rankings is good and gives this team a shot. Unfortunately, they will need a lot of help with Boise State earning another loss and a two-loss AAC champ that is not Memphis or Cincinnati. Even a one-loss SMU champ likely would jump them and earn that Cotton Bowl bid.

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