The Air Force Falcons (-2) and Navy Midshipmen are ready to square off on the turf of Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network and kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Navy Midshipmen vs. Air Force Falcons
In this Saturday game, Air Force is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Falcons are also receiving -130 moneyline odds while the Midshipmen are +110. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 44.5 points. There might be some good live betting opportunities for the matchup.
The game’s total has shifted downward after initially being set at 45. The opening line of 2 has stayed consistent.
The Falcons have gained 1.4 units this season and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an Over-Under record of 2-2.
The Midshipmen have gained 0.0 units so far. The team is 2-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-2.
The Falcons have gone 3-1 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Midshipmen are 2-1 SU.
The Falcons are coming off a resounding 41-24 victory over San Jose State last week where their secondary let the Spartans throw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Tre Walker had a productive day for the Spartans in that one with 69 yards on six catches. On the offensive side of the ball, Donald Hammond III completed only five passes on 9 attempts for 131 yards and one touchdown. Kadin Remsberg (75 rushing yards on 16 attempts) and Christian Mallard (70 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) provided the ground attack in the win while Geraud Sanders (three receptions, 108 yards, one TD) and Kade Waguespack (one catch, 14 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Back on September 26, Memphis took care of this Navy team by a score of 35-23. The Midshipmen defense allowed the Tigers to rush for 105 yards on 25 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Kenneth Gainwell put up a good showing in the win, recording 104 rushing yards and a score on 14 attempts for Memphis. For Navy, Malcolm Perry completed six-of-10 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. Perry (91 rushing yards on 25 attempts, two TDs) and Keoni-Kordell Makekau (101 yards on eight carries) handled the ground game in the defeat while Ryan Mitchell (two receptions, 52 yards) and Chance Warren (two catches, 20 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each team sports a similar (87-13) run-pass ratio on the season. The Falcons have produced 332.8 rush yards per game and have 15 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Midshipmen are totaling 344.7 rushing yards per game and have 12 total rush TDs.
Judging by the early season results, it appears the Falcons ought to own an advantage when it comes to RB effectiveness, since their backfield has produced 5.6 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.0 to opponents. The Midshipmen have tallied 5.2 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.1 to opponents.
The Falcons offensive scheme has averaged 110 yards through the air overall and has four passing scores so far. The Midshipmen have produced 112.7 pass yards per outing and have three total pass TDs.
Defensively, Air Force has let opponents run for an average of 93.3 yards and pass for 211.5 yards per game. The Navy defense has allowed 167 yards per game to opposing passers and 84.3 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Falcons have given up an ANY/A of 6.25 to opposing QBs, while the Midshipmen are allowing an ANY/A of 6.24.
Perry has managed to complete 12-of-19 passes for 185 yards, one TD and zero INTs for Navy. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 9.29 for the year and 15.05 over his last two games. In the other huddle, Hammond III has put up 286 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 12-of-21 attempts with three passing touchdowns and one interception. Hammond III’s got a sparkling 14.33 ANY/A for the year, although that number is 9.81 over the last two games.
When these two teams met a year ago, Air Force knocked Navy off by four touchdowns 35-7.
Air Force Falcons vs. Navy Midshipmen Free Pick
SU Winner: Navy, ATS Winner: Navy, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for Air Force’s last game was 58. The over cashed in the team’s 41-24 victory over San Jose State.
- As a team, Air Force has rushed for 5.2 yards per carry over its past two games.
- Navy has averaged 4.7 YPC over its last two.
- The Navy offense has lost three fumbles this season while Air Force has lost five.
- Over its last three contests, Air Force is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Navy’s last game was set at 54.5. The over cashed in the 35-23 defeat to Memphis.
- Over its last three contests, Navy is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Both teams have produced three pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Falcons have have made six pass plays of 30+ yards while the Midshipmen have accounted for three such plays.
- The Air Force defense has allowed one pass play of 40 yards or more, while Navy has given up two such plays.
- The Air Force offense has created five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Navy has created nine such runs.
- The Falcons defense has allowed zero rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Midshipmen have given up two such runs.
- The Air Force defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks seven times this season. Navy has registered six sacks.
