TJ’S THREE: ARMY-NAVY
Last week: 3-3 Straight Up; 3-3 ATS (Against the Spread)
Season: 27-18 Straight Up; 20-24 ATS
ARMY-NAVY GAME
Army is 8-3 this season and headed to the Armed Forces Bowl to take on Missouri on December 22, 2021. The Black Knights are led by senior QB Christian Anderson who has thrown for 545 yards, 5 TD’s and 0 Int’s. Army uses the triple option attack, so Anderson has rushed 91 times for 519 yards and 6 TD’s. Sophomore RB Tyrell Robinson has only 59 rushing attempts but leads the Black Knights with 582 yards, a 9.9 yard per carry average, and 3 TD’s. He’s also 2nd on the team with 9 receptions for 268 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with 3 TD’s. Junior QB Tyhier Tyler has completed only 2 passes for 65 yards but leads Army in rushing attempts with 113, is 3rd in yards with 470 and 2nd in TD’s with 7. Junior RB Jakobi Buchanan has 111 rushes for 412 yards and a team-leading 11 TD’s. 22 different Army Black Knights have recorded a rushing attempt this season. Sophomore WR Isaiah Alston is the leading receiver with 18 receptions for 384 yards and 3 TD’s. The defense has been good, giving up 323.5 yards per game and 22.8 points per game while getting 26 sacks, 10 Int’s and 5 fumble recoveries. Junior LB Andre Carter II has 35 tackles, 26 solo, 1 Int, 4 forced fumbles and an incredible 13.5 sacks, accounting for just about half of the Black Knights sack total.
Navy is 3-8 coming into their rivalry game this week. Sophomore QB Tai Lavatai has 367 passing yards, 5 TD’s and 2 Int’s. Navy also uses the triple option offense, so Lavatai is 2nd on the team with 150 carries, 4th with 309 rushing yards and tied for the team lead with 5 TD’s. Senior FB Isaac Ruoss leads the Midshipmen with 157 carries and 608 yards and is tied with Lavatai for the lead with 5 rushing TD’s. Fellow senior FB Carlinos Acie is 2nd with 546 yards and 2 TD’s. The defense has been gouged a bit this season, giving up 359.2 yards per game and 29.6 points per game while getting 15 sacks, 7 Int’s and 7 fumble recoveries. Senior LB Diego Fagot leads Navy with 85 tackles, 47 solo, 1 sack, 1 Int, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Senior CB Michael McMorris has 45 tackles, 30 solo, 2 sacks, 4 passes broken up and is tied for 2nd in the country with 5 forced fumbles.
Prediction: When I first started doing my Pick 3, I couldn’t wait to preview the Army-Navy game. I remember watching this game a few times with my Pap when I was a kid. My Pap was in the Navy (not on the football team) so there’s no way on Earth I’d ever root for the Army. I’m not a fan in any way of the option offense, except for in this game, then, I love it! Before my time is up on this planet I will make it to an Army-Navy game to see it live. But I have to be objective, and Army has been too good this season not to take them. If my Pap were still alive, he’d pop me upside the head for picking Army, but I’m still rooting for Navy.
Army: 27 Navy: 14
GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!!!!!!!!!!