Matchup: Navy vs. Middle Tennessee State
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Line: Navy -6.5. Total 56.5
Keys to Victory for Navy
-Both teams are evenly matched in terms of moving the ball on the ground. Navy famously has the triple option method in doing so and will need Keenan Reynolds to continue his strong season and limit any turnovers. The Midshipmen are second in the nation averaging 322 yards rushing per game. Reynolds has 29 rushing TDs already this season which is a record for an FBS QB in a single seaosn.
-Navy has only turned the ball over 8 times this year which is a surprising mark for a team that runs the triple option. They're truly masters of their trade.
-Senior LBs Cody Peterson and D.J. Sargenti, the top two
tacklers for the Midshipmen. Peterson has 135 tackles, and Sargenti 103.
Keys to Victory for Middle Tennessee St.
-The Blue Raiders aren't slouches themselves running the ball. They've averaged 208.3 yards rushing per game which is good for 25th in the nation. Jordan Parker and Reggie Whatley have split time carrying the ball this season and have been very steady in doing so. Both are legitimate threats in keeping drives going.
-One key difference between the two teams is that Logan Kilgore can actually move the ball through the air. Middle Tennessee State finished the regular season with a 5 game win streak, thanks in large part to a 10 TD 3 INT streak by Kilgore to finish the year.
-Turnovers, or lack thereof, will play a huge role in this game and Middle Tennessee will have the upper hand if they lead that category. They've forced 31 Turnovers on the year already which is good for 5th in the nation. Leading the way for them is Sophomore safety Kevin Byard has nine interceptions in his 24 career games, including four returned for touchdowns. He of course probably won't have much of an opportunity to intercept the ball, but he'll certainly be looked at to make big plays up front.
Prediction: Will the Blue Raiders be able to stop Navy's triple option? That remains to be seen. I do however think they'll be able to move the ball themselves, and keep this game close enough to cover the spread.
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