Army vs. Air Force Football Game: Betting Odds, Prediction and How to Watch
The opening-leg of the battle for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy starts this Saturday in Colorado as Navy looks to go on the road and defeat Air Force. This rivalry game kicks off the 2024 CIC Trophy series, one of the most coveted awards in college football, and it should be a great matchup.
The best record among Army, Navy and Air Force earns the team the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for that season. The Navy won it in 2019, while Air Force took it home in 2022.
Be sure to tune in for the upcoming Navy vs. Air Force football rivalry showcase
The Army-Navy rivalry dates back to 1960, while Air Force has been included since 2012. Air Force leads the series 34–22 all-time but has won four in a row, thrashing Navy by a combined score of 93-26 over that stretch. But Navy has its opportunities to win the way it wants at home early in the season and turn that tide.
Army has not won in Colorado since 2012 and Navy only has twice defeated Air Force since 2016 — both of them coming immediately after the prior season was essentially a waste for the Midshipmen against lesser competition. However, this year the Mids are an eye-opening 4-0 under coach Brian Newberry and Air Force is a disappointing 1-3 with no wins over FBS opponents.
Three Important Takeaways From Navy vs. Air Force
Navy’s Surprising Air Attack
Navy, which has run the ball more times than any other program in the country during Niumatalolo’s tenure thanks to its ground-heavy triple-option system and is widely considered one of the game’s most traditional teams, with radical option concepts that have lasted far longer than most others. has added an unexpected dimension this season: a modern-day passing attack. The Senior, Blake Horvath is such a duel threat that he through not 1 but 2 touch down passes over seventy yards a piece in week five against UAB and no other FBS QB accomplished this in the year. Navy’s 178.8 passing yards per game are its most since first joining the American Athletic Conference as well.
Navy is 2-0, averaging 46 points per game after two games for the first time in its 106-year history, and that comes thanks to a newfound versatility on offense.
Offensive Woes Continues for Air Force
The offense is clicking for Navy, while Air Force has had trouble in all phases. The Falcons rank in the bottom 10 of the FBS in all of these categories:
Points: 12.5 (131st in FBS)
Yards per game: 243 (131st)
Rushing yards per game: 176.8 (lowest since 1981)
Pass TDs: 0 (still the only FBS team without one this season)section:inline-inline4.
After a 8-0 start to the 2023 season, only win in their last eight games came vs FCS Merrimack The Scarlet Knights have not defeated an FBS opponent since October 2023 and will be hard-pressed to do so Saturday in light of their continued offensive woes.
Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and What’s on the Line
It will not directly affect the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Sept. 11, but it is a significant move in that direction. Air Force and Army have won four straight games against Navy combined, the longest losing streak for the Midshipmen in the series in 30 years. Air Force hasn’t been swept in the CIC series since 2017, meanwhile.
Navy and Army are both 4-0 to open the season for the first time since 1945. Navy is keen to put an end to its losing run and remain in the trophy contention.
Navy vs. Air Force: How to watch online
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
Time: Noon ET
Location—Falcon Stadium, Air Force Academy, Colorado
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBS Sports. Stream —Cinema Blend Created with Sketch.com, CBS Sports App (Free), Paramount+ including Showtime
Navy vs Air Force Prediction, Game Preview
While Air Force has had the historical edge in this matchup, all signs point towards that being Navy in 2019. Air Force has lost three straight games to FBS foes by double-digits margins, while the Navy offense is pumping out a league-best 46 points per game. Acceleration: No surprise here–Air Force is starting to show that maybe it just isn’t quite up to par against the best of the Academy, and Navy should be able to win this one.
For more such updates and expert predictions on Navy vs. Air Force, visit shaktiexpress com.