This could be the best Army team since 1996, at least offensively. Jeff Monken played so many of his young recruits in previous years that this Army team has the most veterans in over 10 years. Army, showed a lot of potential down the stretch and we spoke about them a ton in our pre-season podcasts. They had 7 loses a year ago by 7 points or less so they are very well capable of staying in games. You could argue they should have won the Army/Navy game. On defense they return 9 starters, which is their most in 25 years.
Temple on the other hand should be good again and their defense should be good, but this is a tough draw for week 1. Especially since this team did not face Navy last year, and they go from being ranked #9 in returning experience in 2015 to #66 in 2016. They lose their best defensive player in Matakevich, and they bring in a new offensive coordinator. I just donât see a lot of points in this game, and the last time Temple faced a triple option team in 2014 they gave up 487 yards rushing.
Both these teams were ranked at the bottom of the nation in pace. Army 128th, with Temple at 95. It will be hard for Temple to win this game going away and thatâs what the oddsmakers are predicting.
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