The Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is the only Division I game on the schedule this weekend. So, NCAA bettors will be focused on one of the biggest rivalry games college football has to offer.
The 8-4 U.S. Naval Academy football team is riding high on a triple-option offense that clicks with military precision. The Midshipmen may already have a seventh consecutive season with at least eight wins and a bowl berth wrapped up, but that won't mean this one will be short on intensity.
"This is a game in a lot of ways that transcends football," said Navy's inside linebacker and co-captain Ross Pospisil. "We know the Army players' lifestyle, and we know what they're going through. It makes the game something special."
NCAA odds makers are calling Navy a huge favorite in this one. The spread in Vegas is sitting at about two touchdowns as the line it set at, the Midshipmen -14.5 with the total in the game at 41.
At 5-6, Army will be trying to play in their first bowl game since 1996 but they can only do that if they beat Navy this weekend.
"Army and Navy is always a big game," Army defensive end Marcus Hilton said. "But it will have more meaning this time. It's the difference between us going to a bowl or staying home for Christmas."
It's clear that both teams know the gravity of this game, bowl expectations, tradition, and the pride that a win brings to every serviceman in the armed forces.
All the intangibles that comes with this one can be thrown out the window when you calculate how talented of a team the Navy Midshipmen bring to the table. They will be too much for Army.
Take the Midshipmen and give the 14.5 points.