Eagle Bank Bowl Preview
One thing we want to try and do is write a bowl preview for each of the ACC games. Not sure how in depth we will be able to get with the holidays coming up, but enough info to persuade you why you should watch.
This inaugural Eagle Bank Bowl is a tough one for me. From my few years living in Annapolis, I have developed a soft spot in my heart for Navy. These kids are there to play football, but it is such a small part of thier day. The fact that they can compete is amazing to me. Throw in the fact, that most of them will be heading overseas for our military and it gives you another reason to route for them. That being said, I always want to see the other ACC teams do well, so I see this as a win-win situation.
Way back on September 27, (man that sounds like years ago right now) Navy beat Wake Forrest in Winston Salem 24-17. Wake’s key for that game was they turned the ball over 6 times including Riley Skinner’s 4 interceptions. Navy’s key stat was 292 rushing yards on 51 carries. Navy jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead. Seven minutes into the second half the lead was cut to 17-10 after Navy turned over the kickoff, and Sam Swank later added a FG. Navy added another TD to make it 24-10, then Wake scored a TD with just over a minute left in the game. Navy’s ground game was able to run out the clock for the upset win on the road. At the time Wake was ranked #15.
So what will the rematch bring us? Navy comes in at 8-4 and Wake finished 7-5. Both teams use a game of misdirection on the ground. No one wants to play Navy’s tripple option, but Wake has faced it once this year, and have had a month to prepare. Wake also uses an option based misdirection offense, but will throw out of it a lot. Navy is the nations leading rushing school, and 119th in passing. They will look to control the ball and clock.
My prediction: Navy travels well, but is this really considered traveling.? They should have more than their share of fans in RFK stadium for this one. Wake generally does not travel well. I give the advantage to Navy in atmosphere. I really want to give the advantage to Wake though. They are out for revenge, and have had plenty of time to game plan a defend the Middies rushing attack. I am looking for a Wake win, something around 31-17.
This game kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) at 11 AM in RFK Stadium in the District. ESPN will broadcast the game. Tickets are available at ticketmaster, follow the link. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/150041287D209BBC?artistid=1255287&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=8
Sphere: Related Content
This entry was posted
on Friday, December 19th, 2008 at 6:16 am and is filed under Uncategorized.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
