The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Navy Midshipmen prepare to do battle in Fort Worth, Texas in the 14th addition of the Lockhead Martin Armed Forces Bowl. The match-up between the two programs is set to off on Friday, December 23rd at 4:30 p.m. and can be seen on the ESPN Network. Heading into this bowl game, the Bulldogs are a -3.5 favorite and the games over/under rests at 66.
Navy and Louisiana Tech had both hoped to end the 2016 regular season campaigns as conference champions. Instead, they’ll be looking to end their seasons on a high note in the Lockhead Martin Armed Forces Bowl after both programs came up short in league title bouts on December 3rd.
Louisiana Tech (8-5):
The Bulldogs traded blows with Western Kentucky in the Conference USA Championship Game but fell a little short, 58-44. Louisiana Tech will need to claim victory in Lockhead Martin Armed Forces Bowl to avoid dragging a three-game losing slide into the off-season. Nevertheless, this year was head coach Skip Holtz’s third straight eight-win season in Ruston.
Offensively, Louisiana Tech is in attack mode from the flip of the coin. Senior quarterback Ryan Higgins is the third different man-under-center in the last three years to throw for more than 3,000 yards in this system. This year Higgins was exceptional, throwing for over 4,200 yards with 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Although the Bulldogs look to move the ball down field with the pass more often, running back Jared Croft has certainly held up his end for the ground attack. The elusive runner has scampered for just over 1,000 and nine scores. 5’6 200 pound bowling ball Boston Scott, has been a nice change-up for the Bulldogs in the red zone, scoring five touchdowns on just 63 attempts.
Wide receiver Trent Taylor is Ryan Higgins’ favorite target and his stats point that out clearly. Taylor has amassed an impressive 124 receptions for 1,570 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wide out Carlos Henderson is no slouch either, totaling 72 catches for over 1,400 yards and a team-high 17 touchdowns.
Through out 2016, there have been defensive deficiencies that have left the Bulldogs exposed. Fortunately, their high-octane offense has made up the difference. Although, this match-up against run-heavy Navy might play right into their wheelhouse. The Bulldogs are 31st in the country against the run, allowing only 134.4 yards per play.
Navy (9-3):
The Midshipmen were sailing into the AAC Conference championship game, but the club’s direction suddenly sailed off course. Not only was Navy trampled by the Owls, 34-10, but starting quarterback Will Worth and slot-back Toneo Gulley were lost for the year to injuries.
Navy is going to move the rock via the ground, because that’s what Ken Niumatalolo’s option is designed to do. The Midshipmen rank among the country’s leaders in rushing (3rd), but third-stringer Zach Abey, is the kid-under-center for Navy in the Lockhead Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
Quarterback Zach Abbey will be looking for help out of the back field from a platoon of tail backs at Navy’s disposal. As a squad, they have amassed over 1,700 yards and 18 trips to the promised land. Chris High leads this group with 483 yards and five end zone appearances. Full back Shawn White continues to be a red zone threat, rushing for another seven scores.
Navy doesn’t toss the ball through the air that often, but when they do they look wide out Jamir Tillman to move the chains. Tillman has responded, catching a team-high 35 balls for 582 yards and two touchdowns.
You can’t count on the Midshipmen’s defense to bail out the offense on Friday, especially against the Bulldogs. The Navy defense surrenders 30 points per game (82nd). Even worse, the secondary has been ripe for the taking against the better quarterbacks on the schedule. The Midshipmen’s back half is ranked 105th in the country against the pass.
Trends and Notes:
The Midshipmen are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 bowl games.
The Bulldogs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl games.
The Over is 7-1 in the Bulldogs last 8 games overall.
The Over is 6-2 in the Midshipmen last 8 games overall.
The Cal Bear’s quarterback Jared Goff, who was drafted by the L.A. Rams with the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, was the 2015 MVP of the Armed Forces Bowl.
The game is played in the 44,008-seat Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Game Prediction:
The Bulldogs will try to put up some points on the Midshipmen, forcing their young quarterback into passing situations. That doesn’t bode well for Navy because their not built to come-from-behind.
Navy will try to use their triple-option offense to keep Louisiana Tech’s potent air attack off of the field for as much a possible. Quarterback Zach Abey is not Will Worth, and looked shaky in the annual Army/Navy game.
The Bulldogs might not be known for their defense, but they tend to struggle more against passing clubs. Navy is the complete opposite of that. The Midshipmen will get some points here, but the Bulldogs will certainly score more against Navy’s defense. Take the Bulldogs to best the Midshipmen by at least a touchdown in this one.
If you’d like to make a play on this game, click on over to HERE and take advantage of the prediction.
