Army-Navy Game 2011: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

Saturday will bring us a continuation of one of sports' greatest traditions, as the Army Black Knights will take on the Navy Midshipmen in the 112th Army-Navy Game. This one will take place from FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Navy leads the overall series with a mark of 55-49-7. In addition to the overall series lead, they have won the series' last eight games.

The last three games have been held in Philadelphia. This will be the first time FedEx Field is hosting the Army-Navy Game

Where: FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

When: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS

Spread 

Navy (-7), according to Bodog.

A Navy win and cover is a pretty solid bet this week. In their current winning streak, the Midshipmen have not won a game by fewer than 12 points.

Over/Under

57, according to Bodog. 

I am going under here. Neither team passes enough for quick scores to take place. I don't see either team getting 30, and it won't be a big enough blowout for the winning team to get such a strong margin.

Key Injuries

Army DB Antuan Aaron, G Joe Bailey, and DE Jarrett Mackey are out.

Army LS Parker Whitten and LB Zach Watts are questionable.

Army RB Terry Baggett and QB Trent Steelman are probable.

Navy WR, Doug Furman and T David Sumrall are out.

Navy CB David Wright and WR Matt Shibata are questionable.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

None in this game. From a National Championship perspective, this game has been irrelevant for quite some time. The relevance of the Army-Navy game goes well beyond rankings.

Keys to Army Win

The legs of quarterback Trent Steelman and RB Raymond Maples. These two teams are eerily similar. They are both in the Top 5 in FBS in rushing yards, and well outside of the Top 100 in passing yards. Navy has a few more weapons.

Steelman and Maples will need to be stellar.

Keys to Navy Win

They need to force Army into third and longs. That would force either Steelman to pass, or for Army to go to less reliable options. If Navy is allowed to key on Steelman and Maples, they will win this one easily.

Prediction: Navy 30, Army 14

Navy just has the better players up and down the rosters. Army will give a spirited effort. Nobody who's ever played in this game has given anything less than their very best.

In the end, the talent will prevail.

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