Week 8 of the NCAAF season features some exciting matchups, and the spotlight is on the undefeated Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen. Both teams are thriving and enter their respective games as heavy favorites. Here are the best bets for Army (-14.5) vs. East Carolina and Navy (-16.5) vs. Charlotte, with detailed breakdowns of why these teams should cover the spread.
#23 Army -14.5 vs. East Carolina (-110)
Army is off to a perfect 6-0 start and they’ve also gone a perfect 6-0 ATS out of the gates. East Carolina has gone 1-3 SU (1-3 ATS) in their last four games heading into this one and will likely have a hard time dealing with Army’s elite defense that’s allowed these point outputs per game by their opponents: 7, 7, 14, 14, 7 and 10. Army ranks first in the country in rushing defense (59.6 yards allowed per game), so that element of East Carolina’s offense will likely be shut down, putting an emphasis on the passing game. That should favor Army since Pirates QB Jake Garcia has amassed eight touchdowns compared to a ridiculous 12 interceptions so far this season, most in the FBS by three picks over the next-highest mark.
The Pirates rank 73rd in total offense, 89th in total defense and their defense is averaging 77.0 plays per game, 2nd-most in the FBS. Army has eclipsed 400 yards of total offense in all six of their games, are the only team in the nation to score a touchdown on their first drive in every game this season, and are averaging a ridiculous 369.8 rushing yards per game, which leads the country. East Carolina ranks 85th in rushing defense (169.6 yards allowed per game), so they’re going to be in some trouble.
I have a hard time seeing East Carolina keeping this one close and expect Army QB Bryson Dailey to thrive once again, coming off of a 5-TD performance last week. I like this up to -16.5 and expect Army to have their way with this East Carolina squad that just lost to Charlotte by the score of 55-24 in their last outing.
#25 Navy -16.5 vs. Charlotte (-110)
This might be the year of the armed forces! Like Army, Navy is undefeated at 5-0 and has gone 4-1 ATS with their only non-cover coming in their season-opening 28-point win over Bucknell (they were 31.5-point favorites). This homecoming matchup in Annapolis favors the Midshipmen, who, like Army, have a lot of positive factors working in their favor this weekend.
First, they’re 18-for-18 in the red zone, with all 18 scores resulting in touchdowns, the only FBS team to boast that stat. Averaging 295.6 rushing yards per game, 2nd-best behind Army, Navy has scored 218 points this season, six more than they did all of last season (12 games)! The Midshipmen have a dynamic player under center just like Army; Black Horvath Jr. has rushed for 565 yards and 10 touchdowns on 8.7 yards per carry and has also thrown for 771 yards and seven more scores this season.
What caught my eye most, perhaps, is Navy’s ability to hit big plays offensively. They have scored touchdowns on the first play of a drive five times through their five games played, 2nd-most in the FBS, showing an ability to break off chunk plays within their patented option offense. I expect them to win big.
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