Here’s how the Baltimore Sun Media staff views the outcome of Saturday’s 125th Army-Navy Game between the Midshipmen (8-3) and Black Knights (11-1) at Northwest Stadium in Landover: No opponent defends the Black Knights and their version of triple-option offense better than the Midshipmen. Navy has held Army to an average of 16 points over the past four meetings. This is a veteran Navy defense led by a pair of four-year starters in safety Rayuan Lane and inside linebacker Colin Ramos.
The Midshipmen have five defenders who were named All-American Athletic Conference. Navy has a defensive front that is equipped to handle Army’s between-the-tackles, power rushing game. Nose guard Landon Robinson and end Justin Reed join Ramos and fellow inside linebacker Kyle Jacob as key figures for the Mids.
Lack of offense is the reason Navy has lost six of its past eight meetings with Army; the Mids averaged 12 points per game in those six defeats. First-year coordinator Drew Cronic and first-year starting quarterback Blake Horvath are going to be the difference-makers as Navy finally scores enough points to beat Army. One team is ranked No.
19 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll with a quarterback, Bryson Daily, having rushed for an FBS-leading 29 touchdowns — which is tied with Boise State running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty. The other team got off to a strong 6-0 start and then unraveled a bit in the back half of its schedule. This matchup should come do.
