In a battle of two teams that like running the football, Coach Jeff Monken and the Army West Point Black Knights (+2) are set to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles (-2) at Rynearson Stadium. Interested parties can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network and this critical afternoon matchup is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Army West Point Black Knights at Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Preview
In this Saturday game, Eastern Michigan is getting picked as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 2 points. The Black Knights are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Eagles are -120. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 48 points. If one school can create a bunch of points in the early stages, it will likely create a worthwhile live betting scenario.
With the spread opening at -2 and the O/U originally set at 48.5, odds have moved a hair.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Black Knights have recorded 5.2 units while the Eagles are up 3.0 units.
The Black Knights are 5-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Eagles are 4-4 SU.
When these two schools faced one another a year ago, Army West Point emerged victorious by a final score of 28-27.
The Black Knights are coming off a 31-30 win over Miami (OH) last week in which the Black Knights completed 0-of-2 passes for zero yards. Cam Thomas went zero-for-2 for 0 yards while Kell Walker completed -of- for yards. Thomas (137 yards on 26 rush attempts, one TD) also mounted the ground attack and was complemented by Darnell Woolfolk (96 yards on 22 carries, two TDs). Kell Walker ( receptions, yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Eastern Michigan enters this one having just earned a 42-20 win over Ball State. Tyler Wiegers completed 22-of-28 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Shaq Vann (63 yards on 20 rush attempts, one TD) and Breck Turner (50 yards on nine carries) mounted the running game as Arthur Jackson III (six receptions, 59 yards, one TD) and Mathew Sexton (three catches, 18 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Army West Point has run the ball on 88.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Eastern Michigan has an overall rush percentage of 56.1 percent. The Black Knights have produced 318 rush yards/game and have 25 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Eagles are putting up 145 rushing yards per game and have 15 total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Black Knights might have an advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their running backs has generated 4.8 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 4.0 to opponents. The Eagles have ran for 3.6 yards per carry and given up 5.0 YPC to opponents.
The Black Knights offensive scheme has tallied 86 yards/game through the air overall and has four passing TDs so far. The Eagles have recorded 260 pass yards per game and have 15 total pass scores.
Defensively, Army West Point has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 106 yards and throw for 229 yards per game. The Eastern Michigan D has allowed 186.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 213.6 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.03 to opponents, while the Black Knights have given up an 8.12 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Hopkins Jr. has put up 605 yards on the year, and has completed 48 percent of his 56 attempts with four passing scores and three interceptions. Hopkins Jr. has a sparkling 9.22 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 14.80 over the last two outings.
Cam Thomas (154 rushing yards, one rush TD, 0 receiving yards this season), Darnell Woolfolk (413 rush yards, six rush TDs) and Kelvin Hopkins Jr. (496 rush yards, seven rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) have all played key roles recently.
In the home locker room, Tyler Wiegers has managed to complete 96-of-147 passes for 1,185 yards, eight TDs and one INT. Wiegers’ ANY/A stands at 7.45 for the season and 8.06 over his last two outings.
We also expect the Eastern Michigan offense to utilize a balanced attack this Saturday. Shaq Vann (404 rushing yards, three rush TDs on the year), Mike Glass III (361 rush yards, six rush TDs, zero receiving yards) and Arthur Jackson III (425 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) have combined to account for 367 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the last couple of games.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NCAA Betting Tip: Army West Point Black Knights vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles
SU Winner – Eastern Michigan, ATS Winner – Eastern Michigan, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
Eastern Michigan has lost five fumbles this season while Army West Point has lost two.
Each team defense has produced 13 sacks this year.
Army West Point has averaged 4.8 yards per rush attempt over its past three games and 4.9 over its last two.
Eastern Michigan has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.5 over its last two.
Over its last three matches, Eastern Michigan is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Army West Point’s previous game was set at 47. The over cashed in the team’s 31-30 win over Miami (OH).
Over its last three matchups, Army West Point is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The O/U for Eastern Michigan’s last game was set at 45. The over cashed in the 42-20 victory over Ball State.
Army West Point has won six of its last seven games SU, with a seven-point loss to Oklahoma on September 22nd accounting for the only slip-up over that stretch.
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