Running game gives Midshipmen edge over Rams Scouts, Inc.
Colorado State likes to pass, while Navy's option attack is the best in the nation. The Rams' defense will get a tough challenge from the Midshipmen's run-oriented offense in the inaugural San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
Colorado State Offense vs. Navy Defense
Colorado State has an explosive passing game led by QB Justin Holland, who set a Rams passing record this year with 20 touchdowns. Colorado State produced a 100 yard receiver in 8-of-11 games this season, with star WR David Anderson accounting for five of the eight. This offense has impressive offensive weapons in Anderson, shifty WR Johnny Walker and workhorse RB Kyle Bell. Holland has a big arm, moves well and makes a lot of big plays, but he turns the ball over too much and forces passes instead of throwing the ball away. This lack of discipline may cost him against Navy. Colorado State would be wise to run a balanced attack and feed Bell the ball to keep Navy's dangerous option attack off the field. Bell has good size, runs hard with power and is capable of wearing down a defense.
The Rams' top offensive lineman, Mike Brisiel, has a lower back injury and probably will not be 100 percent if he is able to play at all. This could benefit DE Jeremy Chase, Navy's top pass rusher. Chase has very good speed and is a disruptive presence capable of forcing Holland into quick decisions. Also keep an eye on Navy LB Rob Caldwell. He is the Midshipmen's leading tackler and makes plays all over the field, with outstanding instincts and the speed to track plays down from behind.
Navy Offense vs. Colorado State Defense
Navy, of course, is going to do what it does best: Run the option. QB Lamar Owens leads the nation's top rated rushing attack with tenacity and outstanding competitiveness. He has excellent timing with the option pitch, impressive ball handling skills and big-play ability with the ball in his hands. He is by far the leading Navy rusher with 830 yards, although an amazing five players are over 298 yards on the ground for the Midshipmen. Adam Ballard put up 192 yards against Army and compliments Owens well. He will get quite a few carries in this contest as well.
The Midshipmen are disciplined and extremely well coached in their option scheme. Owens will attack a Colorado State run defense that ranks 104th in the nation regardless of down and distance or the score of the game. Although Owens is capable of making big plays with his arm, his 4-8 touchdown to interception ratio indicates that too many negative plays occur when the Midshipmen put the ball in the air. DE Jesse Nading is one of Colorado State's top defensive players but his role will change from the norm in this game. Instead of flying upfield in order to disrupt in the backfield, Nading must stay gap sound and constantly be aware of his assignments against Navy's option attack. LB Courtney Jones and S Travis Garcia are also very solid defenders that make a lot of plays in both the running game and against the pass.
Special Teams
Colorado State's Jimmie Kaylor is the fourth-rated punter in the nation and has boomed eight punts over 50 yards while dropping 10 inside the 20-yard line. The Rams punt returner, Johnny Walker is explosive and capable of big plays (11.3 yard per return average). However, Navy has two pint-sized punt gunners in Marco Nelson and Reggie Campbell that take great pride in punt coverage, leading this unit that allows only a measly 4.86 yards per return. The Midshipmen are very disciplined, rarely turn the ball over, and take very few penalties on special teams.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Colorado State OT Mike Brisiel vs. Navy DE Jeremy Chase
2. Colorado State RB Kyle Bell vs. Navy LB Rob Caldwell
3. Navy QB Lamar Owens vs. Colorado State LB Courtney Jones
Scouts' Edge
These two teams have never played one another and their offenses could not be more different. Navy will run their option attack and control the clock while Colorado State will look for big chunks via the air from their playmaking wide receivers. The Midshipmen commit very few penalties, they are nearly 100-percent healthy and they will win the turnover battle. Navy always plays hard for sixty minutes and will provide a relentless challenge to Colorado State with its multiple running threats and baffling option attack. Navy's team-discipline combined with Owens' leadership will be enough to catapult them to victory in what should be a high-scoring contest between two contrasting programs.
Prediction: Navy 32, Colorado State 21
Colorado State likes to pass, while Navy's option attack is the best in the nation. The Rams' defense will get a tough challenge from the Midshipmen's run-oriented offense in the inaugural San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
Colorado State Offense vs. Navy Defense
Colorado State has an explosive passing game led by QB Justin Holland, who set a Rams passing record this year with 20 touchdowns. Colorado State produced a 100 yard receiver in 8-of-11 games this season, with star WR David Anderson accounting for five of the eight. This offense has impressive offensive weapons in Anderson, shifty WR Johnny Walker and workhorse RB Kyle Bell. Holland has a big arm, moves well and makes a lot of big plays, but he turns the ball over too much and forces passes instead of throwing the ball away. This lack of discipline may cost him against Navy. Colorado State would be wise to run a balanced attack and feed Bell the ball to keep Navy's dangerous option attack off the field. Bell has good size, runs hard with power and is capable of wearing down a defense.
The Rams' top offensive lineman, Mike Brisiel, has a lower back injury and probably will not be 100 percent if he is able to play at all. This could benefit DE Jeremy Chase, Navy's top pass rusher. Chase has very good speed and is a disruptive presence capable of forcing Holland into quick decisions. Also keep an eye on Navy LB Rob Caldwell. He is the Midshipmen's leading tackler and makes plays all over the field, with outstanding instincts and the speed to track plays down from behind.
Navy Offense vs. Colorado State Defense
Navy, of course, is going to do what it does best: Run the option. QB Lamar Owens leads the nation's top rated rushing attack with tenacity and outstanding competitiveness. He has excellent timing with the option pitch, impressive ball handling skills and big-play ability with the ball in his hands. He is by far the leading Navy rusher with 830 yards, although an amazing five players are over 298 yards on the ground for the Midshipmen. Adam Ballard put up 192 yards against Army and compliments Owens well. He will get quite a few carries in this contest as well.
The Midshipmen are disciplined and extremely well coached in their option scheme. Owens will attack a Colorado State run defense that ranks 104th in the nation regardless of down and distance or the score of the game. Although Owens is capable of making big plays with his arm, his 4-8 touchdown to interception ratio indicates that too many negative plays occur when the Midshipmen put the ball in the air. DE Jesse Nading is one of Colorado State's top defensive players but his role will change from the norm in this game. Instead of flying upfield in order to disrupt in the backfield, Nading must stay gap sound and constantly be aware of his assignments against Navy's option attack. LB Courtney Jones and S Travis Garcia are also very solid defenders that make a lot of plays in both the running game and against the pass.
Special Teams
Colorado State's Jimmie Kaylor is the fourth-rated punter in the nation and has boomed eight punts over 50 yards while dropping 10 inside the 20-yard line. The Rams punt returner, Johnny Walker is explosive and capable of big plays (11.3 yard per return average). However, Navy has two pint-sized punt gunners in Marco Nelson and Reggie Campbell that take great pride in punt coverage, leading this unit that allows only a measly 4.86 yards per return. The Midshipmen are very disciplined, rarely turn the ball over, and take very few penalties on special teams.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Colorado State OT Mike Brisiel vs. Navy DE Jeremy Chase
2. Colorado State RB Kyle Bell vs. Navy LB Rob Caldwell
3. Navy QB Lamar Owens vs. Colorado State LB Courtney Jones
Scouts' Edge
These two teams have never played one another and their offenses could not be more different. Navy will run their option attack and control the clock while Colorado State will look for big chunks via the air from their playmaking wide receivers. The Midshipmen commit very few penalties, they are nearly 100-percent healthy and they will win the turnover battle. Navy always plays hard for sixty minutes and will provide a relentless challenge to Colorado State with its multiple running threats and baffling option attack. Navy's team-discipline combined with Owens' leadership will be enough to catapult them to victory in what should be a high-scoring contest between two contrasting programs.
Prediction: Navy 32, Colorado State 21
