By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Odds: Temple +3 at Navy -3 Total 61
Many of the Championship games are neutral site venues this weekend, this contest is not however, as it’s a home game for Navy. Kick-off is slated for 12 noon ET at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland.
The past two weekends Navy has been unstoppable scoring victories of (75–31,) last week at SMU and (66–31,) on November 19th at East Carolina. Navy was second in the conference in scoring, trailing only Tulsa.
As for Temple they have been solid on defense and in their last four games they’ve held all four opponents to less than 14 points on offense. They led the AAC in scoring defense allowing an average of 17.8 points per game.
The Owls are 11–01 ATS this season while Navy is 7–3–1 so, who takes home the money?
Battle in the Trenches
- Owls quarterback Phillip Walker is expected to play but he is dealing with some type of foot injury.
- Navy’s ability to run the ball with a great deal of success eventually runs their opposing defenses down. They were ranked #2 in the nation averaging 342 rushing yards per game while averaging 6.0 yards per rush.
- Temple faced a triple offense in week one of the season, vs. Army, the Owls allowed 329 yards on the ground.
- Red zone efficiency is a key to this game, Navy’s touchdown percentage is 82% vs. 56.9% for Temple.
- Navy is averaging 49 points on offense in their last four games while their punter has been almost invisible as they’ve punted the ball twice.
- Temple will be without the services of running back Ryquell Armstead for this game.
- Navy’s head coach Niumatalolo is 24–10 ATS after scoring 37 or more points in their last game.
- The Midshipmen have won 15 consecutive home games.
Last week in Review
- EE Sam was tied up and couldn’t post my selection last week which would have been a winner as I went with Vanderbilt one again. My records stays the same at 9–3 ATS.
All Systems Go
- Play against a road team after outgaining an opponent by 175 or more total yards in their previous game against opponent after gaining 6.75 or more yards per play in three consecutive games. This system is 38–14 = 73% ATS since 1992.
- Play on any team that averages 34 or more points per game when playing against a good defensive team that allows between 16–21 PPG, after 7+ games and after a win by 35 or more points. This system is 37 – 14 = 72.5% ATS the past 10 seasons.
College Football Free Pick
My Every Edge College selection for this weekend is on Navy at –3 points.