Army had only won two of its last five season openers. Each of those triumphs came in the comforts of their own stadium. But last week, the Black Knights did what the pointspread said was unfathomable by going into Temple and handling the Owls with ease 28-13 as 14.5 point underdogs. They’ll look to start a season 2-0 for the first time in ages on Saturday afternoon in their home opener against a Rice team that got waxed every way imaginable in their road opener.
This contest in Week 2 of the regular season will go down Saturday, September 10, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Michie Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Rice +8.5
Army -8.5
Odds Analysis
There’s been absolutely no line movement to speak of in this one with Army opening as 8.5 point favorites for this Week 2 clash. After dominating Temple on both sides of the ball last week, the Cadets in the stands are sure to make Michie as rowdy as possible for the visiting Owls.
It’s outright crazy to see the Black Knights favored by this amount against an FBS opponent. The last time Army went off the board favored to win at this level came back in 2013 when they thumped a terrible Eastern Michigan squad 50-25 as 10 point chalk. It’s possible the line hasn’t moved simply because bettors are calling into their local outs to let them know there’s a misprint in hopes of getting a free play.
Matchup to Watch
It’s Army. With that, you have to be able to stop the option. Honestly, we have no idea how the Owls stack up against the run this season simply due to the fact that Western Kentucky basically didn’t have to try. The Hilltoppers threw for an asinine 552 yards last week en route to posting 46 points. They did however only gain 97 yards on the ground on 30 attempts, so the 3.2 yards per carry they limited WKY to bodes well for them in this spot.
That said, the Black Knights will no doubt be more of a test in the running department considering they threw the ball just five times versus Temple. With that the case, make it a point to see if Alex Lyons and the Owls front seven have any success limiting what Andy Davidson and Army tries to do on the ground. If they do, Rice will have an excellent shot of competing when you take into account their familiarity with what Army likes to do.
Last Meeting
These programs have crossed paths on the college gridiron each of the last two seasons, and the Owls came out on top both times.
Two years ago, Rice went into West Point and throttled the Black Knights 41-21 as 3 point road chalk. The defense limited Army’s option attack to just 341 total yards and 4.6 yards per carry average. They also won the turnover battle 2-0.
It was a much more competitive game last season. Rice stormed out to a 14-0 lead, but the Black Knights never gave up clawing to within three points in the third before eventually tying it up with just over two minutes to play. Unfortunately, the defense gave up a touchdown with just 24 seconds left. The 38-31 final saw Rice backers earn a lucky push.
Free ATS Pick
Army has been the running joke of the service academies when it comes to football for quite some time now. However, this year’s team looks to have the goods to make a potential run at a bowl game invite should everything fall into place. Jeff Monken has done a tremendous job of recruiting and surrounding himself with an excellent staff since taking over the head coaching gig. The Black Knights lost seven games by seven points or fewer last season – Rice was one of them – and didn’t get embarrassed by Navy for the second straight season.
They’re no doubt on the up and up, but it’s still hard to fathom laying this type of chalk with them so soon. There will come a time when you will lay it against a team like Rice without batting an eye, but now is not that time. Still, look for them to finally scratch out a tight win versus the Owls.
College Football Odds: Army 28, Rice 27
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