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Most odds sites have Army’s win total for 2023 at 6. Assuming 2 of those are our FCS games, that means no bowl again this year. What are you thinking: will we be over, under or right at the total?

My heart says over, but I think the odds makers have this one about right. With our schedule and breaking in the new offense, I think we will be hard pressed to exceed 6 wins. If the offense isn’t working and we don’t win the TOP battle, it’s tough for our D to hold up vs. Power 5 competition.

That said, I do think we have a shot at the CIC. Navy has more changes than we do, though we will both likely have those sorted before we play. It will be a tough game, but one we can win. AF, even with their 8th year seniors, gets a lot of love but I think much of that is due to their cake walk schedule. The game is in Denver which negates some of their home field advantage as well.

Curious to know what others are thinking as we edge closer to kickoff.

I think the under for most of the reasons you state. Obviously, I hope I am completely wrong. Between LSU, BC, Coastal, and Syracuse I see 4 losses. Very little room for error. I see HC, Del St, and UMass as the only Solid Ws. So that leaves the CIC games, Troy, UTSA, and UL Monroe to find 3 more. None of those are easy IMO.

Beat em all.

Holy Cross is likely a top-10 FCS team again.

Dangerous foe.

I'm going with 8-4. Can't justify it, just feeling somewhat optimistic. There is only one team on the schedule we "shouldn't" be able to beat, but there are a handful of tough challenges there.

ULM win
Delaware State win
UTSA loss on the road
Syracuse loss on the road
Boston College win at home
Troy win at home
LSU loss
UMass win at home
Air Force loss in denver
Holy Cross win at home
Coastal Carolina I do not know
Navy win

Taking into account home games, see 7-5 or 8-4 best case. Worst case, the wheels fall off and from the above we lost to Troy, BC and Coastal and we are 3-8 heading into Navy

When Army transitioned to the wishbone in the 80's, the offense got better immediately. The offense has been anemic the last two years, I only see upside. This is not a drastic change, I think this offense is running the option out of the shotgun. I think it is pretty similar and we will have two tune-up games going into UTSA.

With that:

ULM win - Army is favored by 7
Delaware State win
UTSA toss up
Syracuse loss
Boston College win
Troy win
LSU loss
UMass win
Air Force toss up
Holy Cross win
Coastal Carolina toss up
Navy win

7-9 wins, bowl game, great season

I am taking the over:

ULM - W
Delaware State - W
UTSA - toss up
Syracuse - L
Boston College - W
Troy - L
LSU - L
UMass - W
Air Force - L
Holy Cross - W
Coastal Carolina - toss up
Navy - W

The Football Gods will bounce the ball Army’s way a couple of times and they go bowling. The rationalization for my optimism: 1. Monken is a damned good coach. Todd Berry he is not.
2. The team is jazzed and bought in. The younger guys are not having big adjustment issues not too far removed from HS.
3. The offensive line are all over 300 lbs 11 deep and they are experienced. Fresh legs at every position including center.
4. Bryson Daily has the skill and he’s an on field commander. No more QB by committee.
5. The requisite skill and speed exists at RB and WR.
6. The defense is experienced and deep. Fresh legs again on the line.

I’ll never forget the 2016 opener down at the Linc. vs Temple. Army was running line shifts like a hockey team. Fresh legs dominated in the 4th quarter. That game is when Jeff Monken’s Army Team arrived. He’ll do it again.

3seconddelay
Love your optimism. Heard Understood Acknowledged!!

"Fresh legs" are crucial....

As P&D pointed out, it'll be a sauna in Monroe. 95+ heat & equal humidity...