Army vs Navy Odds, Spread & Prediction (Dec. 9)
- The Army Golden Knights are 3-point favorites over the Navy Midshipmen in their annual college football clash on Saturday, December 9
- Underdogs are 7-2 ATS in the past nine games of this series
- It’s just the fourth time since 2000 that Army is favored to beat Navy
The annual contest between the Army Golden Knights (5-6, 4-6-1 ATS) and the Navy Midshipmen (5-6, 4-6-1 ATS) is viewed as one of those college football rivalries where you can throw the respective team’s records out the window. In practice, the numbers bear out that theory.
Over the past nine meetings between Army and Navy, underdogs are 7-2 against the spread. The betting favorite has lost outright in each of the last two games.
It’s the Golden Knights who are set as 3-point favorites this year in the Army vs Navy odds.
Let’s take a deep dive into the Army vs Navy odds and offer you our prediction for this traditional college football rivalry.
Army vs Navy Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Golden Knights | -148 | -3 (-108) | Over 27.5 (-110) |
| Navy Midshipmen | +124 | +3 (-112) | Under 27.5 (-110) |
In the Army vs Navy odds, the Golden Knights are -148 moneyline favorites, giving them an 59.68% implied win probability. The total is set at 27.5 points. That’s the second-lowest total ever assigned to a college football game. Only Iowa vs Nebraska (25.5 points) earlier this season went lower.
Odds as of Dec. 8 at DraftKings. Sign up at the DraftKings Sportsbook app to bet on Golden Knights vs Midshipmen and other college football action this week.
Army is 5-2 straight up in the last seven games against Navy. Prior to that, the Midshipmen had won 14 in a row, the longest winning streak in the history of the series.
Kickoff for this game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, December 9 is set for 3:00 pm ET. The broadcast is being carried by CBS.
Golden Knights vs Midshipmen Betting Trends
The college football public betting splits, the people are joining the Army. It’s the favored Golden Knights who are seeing heavy action on both the spread and moneyline fronts.
Spread splits are showing the Golden Knights garnering 76% of handle and 86% of bets. Army is 8-4 ATS in the last 12 games facing Navy. The Golden Knights are also 1-0 ATS this season in neutral-site games, while Navy is 0-1.
There’s even stronger backing for Army in the moneyline splits. Here, the Golden Knights are getting the backing of 90% of handle and 80% of bets. Army is 2-1 SU the last three times kicking off as a favorite against Navy.
Turning to the total, the low number is causing the betting public to lean toward the over. It’s pulling 57% of handle and 70% of bets. Army’s 20-17 victory last season hit the over on the total of 32 points but it took double overtime to do so. That ended a 16-year run of unders in the game.
Both Schools Rely On Run Game
With both Army and Navy playing the old-school triple option, the Golden Knights and Midshipmen tend to run the ball all day long. In last year’s double OT game, Army only attempted five first-half passes and didn’t complete a single one. Navy’s first pass completion came in OT.
This season, the Midshipmen have passed for 1,089 yards. That works out to 99.0 yards per game, second-lowest among 130 FBS schools. Navy has utilized four different starting QBs this season. Xavier Arline is the expected starter for this game.
This Saturday on CBS and @paramountplus is America's Game between Army and Navy.@CoachNeuheisel says you can truly throw out the records in this great rivalry game. pic.twitter.com/l90GKbN6VW
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 6, 2023
Army (107.3 YPG) is 128th overall in the FBS in passing offense. Army is #9 in the nation in rushing offense, though. The Golden Knights are gaining 208.3 yards per game on the ground. Army QB Bryson Daily is 62nd in the country with 817 rushing yards.
Navy is #13 in rushing offense (200.5 YPG). Midshipmen FB Alex Tecza is tied for 88th in the nation with 724 rushing yards.
Turnovers Could Turn This Game
Both schools have struggled to hang on to the football. Army has lost 11 fumbles in 11 games. Only six schools have lost more fumbles in the FBS this season. Navy has lost seven fumbles.
Despite throwing the ball infrequently (150 pass attempts), Golden Knights QBs have been intercepted 11 times. That’s an interception rate of 7.33%. Daily has as many interceptions as TD passes (six apiece).
Getting ready for America’s Game.#ArmyNavy | https://t.co/4RHCzpcbH3 pic.twitter.com/pUcypbax26
— Gillette Stadium (@GilletteStadium) December 5, 2023
Army is winless this season (0-3 SU) when throwing an interception. The Golden Knights are 1-7 SU over the past two seasons when having at least one pass picked off.
Navy has only thrown four interceptions on 170 pass attempts. Defensively, Navy DBs Rayuan Lane and Dashaun Peele each have picked off four passes.
Army vs Navy Prediction
While it’s tempting to play the over on such a low total, let’s instead lean into another low total – Navy’s outstanding run defense.
The Midshipmen are holding opponents to 3.57 yards per carry this season, which is tied for 20th in the nation. Navy has only allowed 12 rushing TDs and has pitched three shutouts this season.
Army vs Navy Pick: Navy Midshipmen +3 (-112)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
