BYU vs Navy Odds and Picks

• BYU and Navy get their seasons underway in their first head-to-head matchup since 1989
• The Midshipmen play host for the 8 pm ET kickoff on Monday, Sept. 7
• The odds, a breakdown of the matchup and a pick for the game are included in the article below

The BYU Cougars and Navy Midshipmen embark on their altered 2020 schedules in an untraditional time slot, with kickoff set for 8 pm ET on Monday, September 7 at Navy’s Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

These teams have split two meetings, but haven’t played since 1989 (i.e. none of the current players had even been born).

Here’s a look at the BYU vs. Navy odds for Monday.

BYU vs Navy Odds

Odds as of Sept. 4th

Home Field “Advantage”

In mid-August, Navy announced it would not host fans for the season opener against BYU as a precautionary measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though seemingly a responsible move from a public health standpoint, it means Navy’s advantage as the home team is largely nullified. An avoidance of travel is still nice, but the boost of crowd noise — to pump up the team, or in some instances impede communication for the opposition — is a primary factor in the edge home teams typically receive.

A waiver request to allow the Brigade of Midshipmen to attend the Navy football home opener against BYU on Labor Day was denied by State of Maryland officials.@NavyFB will play a week from today in an empty stadium.

STORY: https://t.co/9rxjSlEFAZ pic.twitter.com/1FmdT6QuJ6

— Capital Gazette Sports (@AACapitalSports) August 31, 2020

For what it’s worth, Navy won all four of its true home games straight-up last year, as well as three of four against the spread.

Navy Loses Record-Setter

It’s not totally hyperbolic to say Malcolm Perry was the Navy offense last year. After all, the quarterback set single-season school records in rushing yards (1,804) and total offense yards (2,831).

And now he’s gone, off to the NFL.

The Black Knights thought they had Malcolm Perry…but he had other ideas.

WHAT A MOVE. TOUCHDOWN NAVY. pic.twitter.com/PlpjbpfV3G

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 14, 2019

Next in line is Perry Olsen, who had all of eight pass attempts and 34 rushes last season as a freshman. A weird, disrupted offseason is certainly not working in Olsen’s favor as he tries to take the reigns on this offense.

Fortunately for Olsen, he’ll be joined in the backfield by Jamale Crothers and Nelson Smith, who combined for 1,305 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns a season ago. In all likelihood, Crothers and Smith are the offense now — and that’s not a bad spot for Navy to be in.

BYU Loaded With Returnees

The Cougars have their quarterback, running back, much of their offensive line and several linebackers and defensive backs returning. That’s all well and good for a team looking to improve on a 7-6 record from last year.

But quarterback Zach Wilson, healthy after missing time with a thumb injury, needs targets to throw to. His top two receivers from 2019 have graduated, and starting tight end Matt Bushman is lost for the year with a ruptured achilles tendon.

📹: Zach Wilson to Dax Milne for the touchdown. #BYU leads USC 17-10 in the second quarter. #GoCougs #USCvsBYU pic.twitter.com/ZwLEMbKr1m

— Jake Edmonds (@JakeKUTV) September 14, 2019

So while BYU has a lot of returnees overall, they are still lacking in some areas. And again, this group went 7-6 last year. Compare that to Navy’s 11-2 mark, and maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing for the Cougars to have some fresh faces.

As it stands, so much can happen in a season-opening game. Both teams will still be familiarizing themselves with the playbook, competing at game intensity, etc.

Navy’s quarterback might be new, but its pair of returning fullbacks should smooth that transition. Roll with the Midshipmen to get it done at home, even without the fans.

Pick: Navy +1.5 (-105)