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With college football in flux and conferences canceling or reshuffling games, independent BYU and AAC member Navy found their schedules in turmoil. Gone was Navy’s Dublin opener against Notre Dame and ditto BYU’s opening rivalry tilt against Utah. So instead Cougars and Midshipmen meet in an empty Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis on Monday, September 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This will be just the third meeting ever between these two programs. Navy beat BYU 23-16 in the 1978 Holiday Bowl in San Diego and BYU won in Annapolis 31-10 in 1989. Navy will return the game to Provo at a later date.
BYU Outlook: Aerial Attack
The Cougars went 7-6 last year with wins over Tennessee, USC and Boise State before a loss to Hawai’i in the Christmas Eve Hawai’i Bowl. They ranked 67th in FBS in scoring at 28.5 points per game and 48th in points allowed at 25.5 points per game. BYU was just +1 on turnovers for the season and allowed 168 yards per game on the ground.
The big question this year for head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes: who starts at quarterback? The preseason battle has included Zach Wilson, Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney, all of whom started at least one game in 2019.
Wilson threw for 2382 yards and 11 scores last year but missed four games with a broken thumb and had nine interceptions. Romney directed the wins over Boise State and Liberty with a 7/2 TD/INT ratio while Hall beat Utah State and completed over 67% of his passes in limited action.
The top three BYU running backs are back from last season with Sione Finau’s 359 yards one more than that of Lopini Katoa who had four touchdowns. The Cougars will need someone to step up on the outside after losing 135 receptions to graduation from their top three wide receivers. WR Gunner Romney had 31 receptions for 377 yards and two scores last year while TE Matt Bushman caught 47 passes for 688 yards and four scores.
Navy Outlook: Offense in Transition
Perry’s 2017 rushing yards won't be easily replaced, especially after the cancellation of spring practice. Perry Olsen is the most experienced signal caller on the roster while Navy returns the majority of their other skill players. FB Jamale Carothers ran for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns last year while WR Mychal Cooper caught 18 passes for 380 yards.
The Navy defense returns a majority of their starters from a squad that allowed 22.3 points per game last year. Losing NT Jackson Pittman to graduation hurts but Mike Flowers looks to step in with Jackson Perkins and J’arius Warren back on the line as well. LB Diego Fagot led Navy in tackles last season with 100 while also racking up 5.5 sacks.
BYU at Navy Betting Lines By Game Advisers.com
BYU spread: +2.5
Navy spread: -2.5
Over/Under:
The Navy offense is in transition without Perry but the triple option is a well-oiled machine under Niumatalolo. The Cougars struggled against the run last year and if they don’t get off to a good start it could be all downhill. This one likely comes down to the passing attack of BYU against the triple option of Navy.
Head to our favorite pay per head bookie site RealBookies.com and take Navy -2.5.
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