EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, November 3^rd, the (3-5) Air Force Falcons will be on the road to take on the (6-2) Army Black Knights.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Army 30.8 – Air Force 24.0 with an over/under of 54.9.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Army 27 – Air Force 25.

Mark is predicting a final score of Army 28 – Air Force 19.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Air Force 137.5 YPG > Army 91.4 YPG

Rushing offense: Army 314.6 YPG > Air Force 255.8 YPG

Scoring offense: Army 32.9 PPG > Air Force 31.6 PPG

Scoring defense: Army 20.6 PPG > Air Force 26.8 PPG

Passing defense: Army 225.9 YPG > Air Force 257.9 YPG

Rushing defense: Army 96.9 YPG > Air Force 108.4 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Army +0.6 > Air Force 0.0

Summary:

Air Force is (3-5) with wins over Stony Brook, Navy, and UNLV.  They were defeated by Florida Atlantic, Utah State, Nevada, San Diego State, and Boise State.  Air Force’s defense was gashed for 530 yards and 48 points in last week’s loss to Boise State.  The Falcons rank 48^th in points per game (31.6) and 64^th in scoring defense (26.8 PPG).  Quarterback Isaiah Sanders has completed 60% of his passes for 767 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Sanders is also the team’s second leading rusher 445 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Running back Cole Fagan has rushed for 486 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season.  The Falcons’ defense ranks 101^st against the pass (257.9 YPG) and 16^th against the run (108.4 YPG).

Army is (6-2) with victories over Liberty, Hawaii, Buffalo, San Jose State, Miami (OH), and Eastern Michigan.  They were defeated by Duke and #5 Oklahoma.  The Black Knights rank 40^th in points per game (32.9) and 26^th in scoring defense (20.6 PPG).  Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. has completed 53% of his passes for 731 yards with 6 touchdowns to 3 interceptions.  Hopkins Jr. is also the team’s leading rusher with 596 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Running back Darnell Woolfolk has rushed for 548 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season.  Hopkins Jr. and Wo0lfolk provide the perfect “smash and dash” complement to one another.  The Black Knights’ defense ranks 67^th against the pass (225.9 YPG) and 8^th against the run (96.9 YPG).  Army has the 25^th best turnover margin in the country (+0.6).

Bottom Line:

Army is in the midst of a four-game winning streak where they’ve averaged 40.5 points per game.  Army has the 3^rd best third down conversion rate in the country (53.7%).  Both teams employ a run heavy triple option attack but Army executes it more efficiently.  Home field advantage will also play a major role as Army takes home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy this year.

Army wins 26-17

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