Navy did everything it could in the second half against the Fighting Irish in Baltimore, scoring 19 points while holding Notre Dame scoreless. Alas, it was not enough, but it was the type of performance that this Mids team desperately needed in a bad year on the football field.
By Steve Wright
Week Results: 2-1.
Closest Pick: Air Force 35, New Mexico 17. The actual was Air Force 35, New Mexico 3. An outstanding effort by the Air Force defense here as I missed by 14 thanks to their work.
Worst Pick: Army 31, Troy 28. The actual was Troy 10, Army 9. Just a depressing game for Army, with the defeat sealed with 15 seconds remaining on a missed Quinn Maretzki 42-yard field goal attempt.
Season Results: 16-8 (66%). Last week I was at 63%
Navy @ No. 17 UCF – UCF is lined up for a potential AAC title and a major bowl bid, but they need to get past the Mids to do so. UCF is -3 in turnover margin on the season, putting them at No. 88 in the country. Given how Navy can – and will – grind the clock, a UCF turnover or two could make this very interesting. Navy has to keep this closer than they did in the first half against Notre Dame; if they do, they can be a threat. UCF 35, Navy 21.
Army vs. UConn – UConn sits at 6-6 and is one of the nicest stories in college football as they are about to go bowling for the first time since 2015. Army can join them by winning out, and the 3-6 Black Knights have to be better with turnovers (-3 on the season) and fourth down (No. 63 in the country) to make that happen. The rushing game should be able to fire against UConn, and this is finally the week that Army’s offense gets out of its slump. Army 35, UConn 21.
Air Force vs. Colorado State – On paper, this should be a game Air Force wins comfortably The Rams have had a bad, bad season and sit at 2-8, while Air Force is 7-3 with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy already secured for 2022. However, these in-state games can always be a minefield, and a couple of the Falcons’ defeats were to teams they arguably should have beaten. Being at home certainly helps, and the rushing game is firing on all cylinders after picking up 428 yards in the win over New Mexico. I think it gets to close to 400 again here. Air Force 38, Colorado State 13.
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