3* - Navy Midshipmen (+7?)
I find myself with no choice but to back the Midshipmen in this game. I know, Navy?s top ranked rushing game has been the focus of the Boston College coaching staff for three weeks and the Eagles are ranked #13 against the run this season but the only team that they have seen that comes close to matching the Middie?s triple option was Wake Forest. In that game the Deacs were able to pull out the win by gaining 160 yards on the ground despite allowing BC to pass the ball for over 400 yards.
I am also not impressed by Boston College?s other two road losses at North Carolina State and Miami, both as favorites. The Eagles won seven games this season by seven points or less and were 1-5 ATS as favorites. Additionally, longtime HC Tom O'Brien unceremoniously bailed on the team to take the top job with ACC rival NCST which certainly creates a distraction among the remaining coaching staff as they are in an awkward position wondering what the future holds for them in the way of employment.
Boston College has won and covered six consecutive bowl games but every one of those previous six teams held much better pedigrees than the current version. The ?06 running game has been particularly weak as the Eagles have averaged only 96 rushing yards per game against all teams not including Duke and Buffalo. The Midshipmen have earned a reputation for always plays tough and also have a solid defense which has held its opponents to under 20 points per game. With the exception of consecutive losses to Rutgers and Notre Dame, Navy held its remaining ten opponents to 24 points or less.
Boston College may get the win today but only Rutgers was able to shut down Navy?s dangerous running game this season and I don?t see the Eagles duplicating that effort. I?ll take the points in this one with a very live dog which has a far better ATS road record.
I find myself with no choice but to back the Midshipmen in this game. I know, Navy?s top ranked rushing game has been the focus of the Boston College coaching staff for three weeks and the Eagles are ranked #13 against the run this season but the only team that they have seen that comes close to matching the Middie?s triple option was Wake Forest. In that game the Deacs were able to pull out the win by gaining 160 yards on the ground despite allowing BC to pass the ball for over 400 yards.
I am also not impressed by Boston College?s other two road losses at North Carolina State and Miami, both as favorites. The Eagles won seven games this season by seven points or less and were 1-5 ATS as favorites. Additionally, longtime HC Tom O'Brien unceremoniously bailed on the team to take the top job with ACC rival NCST which certainly creates a distraction among the remaining coaching staff as they are in an awkward position wondering what the future holds for them in the way of employment.
Boston College has won and covered six consecutive bowl games but every one of those previous six teams held much better pedigrees than the current version. The ?06 running game has been particularly weak as the Eagles have averaged only 96 rushing yards per game against all teams not including Duke and Buffalo. The Midshipmen have earned a reputation for always plays tough and also have a solid defense which has held its opponents to under 20 points per game. With the exception of consecutive losses to Rutgers and Notre Dame, Navy held its remaining ten opponents to 24 points or less.
Boston College may get the win today but only Rutgers was able to shut down Navy?s dangerous running game this season and I don?t see the Eagles duplicating that effort. I?ll take the points in this one with a very live dog which has a far better ATS road record.
