Army riding high, set for Air Force clash Betting analysis
Senior fullback Collin Mooney is planning to make his final home game at Army a memorable one.
Not long ago, the Black Knights looked like one of the worst teams in college football. But all of that is forgotten.
Army (3-5) played poorly while losing its first three home games, including a 28-10 defeat to New Hampshire, and has rebounded to win three of its past four.
The Black Knights host Air Force (6-2) today in the first step for the coveted Commander-in-Chief trophy, a round-robin competition among the three service academies.
Mooney is the motor that makes Army run. He leads the team with 874 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Both teams run similar offenses, mainly keeping the ball on the ground.
Troy Calhoun has done an excellent job in his second year as coach at Air Force, but in an important rivalry game, back the Black Knights as 8-point underdogs.
Other selections for today's games (home team in CAPS):
• VIRGINIA (-2) over Miami: The Cavaliers are the surprising leaders of the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division with a 3-1 record after upsetting Georgia Tech last week as 14-point road underdogs.
Virginia quarterback Marc Verica began the year as a backup and assumed the starter's job when Peter Lalich was dismissed from the team. Verica has made strides and completed 29 of 39 passes for 270 yards last week.
• TEXAS A&M (-31/2) over Colorado: The Buffaloes go back on the road after getting blasted 58-0 at Missouri. Colorado continues to struggle on offense because of the uncertainty of the quarterback position with three players seeing time.
Offense has not been a problem for the Aggies, who scored 49 points in last week's victory at Iowa State.
• NOTRE DAME (-41/2) over Pittsburgh: Last week, punchless Rutgers pounded the Panthers as quarterback Mike Teel threw for six TDs in the Scarlet Knights' 54-34 win. Pittsburgh starting quarterback Bill Stull suffered a concussion and is doubtful for this game.
No one is laughing at the Irish this year, thanks to the improved play of quarterback Jimmy Clausen and the defense.
• MICHIGAN STATE (-41/2) over Wisconsin: The last time the Badgers went on the road and faced a quality running back, they gave up more than 200 yards to Iowa's Shonn Greene in a 38-16 loss. Wisconsin faces another stellar running back in the Spartans' Javon Ringer.
• GEORGIA TECH (-2) over Florida State: The Seminoles benefited from both of Virginia Tech's quarterbacks getting knocked out of the game in their 30-20 victory over the Hokies last week.
Georgia Tech is looking to bounce back from a disappointing home loss, and coach Paul Johnson is one of the best in the business and will have his team ready.
Last week: 5-3 against the spread
Season: 27-27
Barry Holthaus, a handicapper for VegasInsider.com, is providing college football analysis for the Review-Journal this season. He can be heard on the Leroy's Sports Hour at 10 p.m. every Saturday on KLAV-AM (1230).
