With one more year until New York betting offers full action on the annual Army vs. Navy football rivalry, the classic marches on this weekend. The storied institutions meet for the 122nd time this Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (CBS, 3 p.m.).
Bettors from the Empire State can’t even go across the border to neighboring New Jersey as in-state college games and events remain prohibited for wagering there. Voters in the Garden State voted no to eliminating this law in November.
The New York State Gaming Commission on Nov. 8 selected operators for mobile sports betting. The state certainly should have mobile betting ready for Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, if not well before then. Recently, operators have been hinting at launching pre-registration.
Here is a guide for beginners for betting in New York.
For the rest of the country with legalized sports betting, two sports betting platforms – DraftKings and FanDuel – have Army listed as a touchdown favorite or more.
NY Betting Finds Army a Clear Favorite
DraftKings NY has Army as a 7-point and -305 moneyline favorite, with Navy listed as a +240 moneyline underdog. The over/under total points for the game is at 34.5.
FanDuel NY has Army slightly higher as a 7.5-point and -310 moneyline favorite, with Navy at +240. The over/under total points is listed at 33.5.
Army (8-3), which will participate in the Armed Forces Bowl against Missouri on Dec. 22 in Fort Worth, Texas, enters Saturday’s game winning four of the last five meetings against the Midshipmen, including a 15-0 victory last year at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York.
That game was moved to West Point from Philadelphia because COVID-19 regulations in Pennsylvania would not have allowed the Cadets or Midshipmen to attend. It was also the first meeting between the teams at West Point since a 13-0 Navy win in 1943.
Navy (3-8), which leads the all-time series (61-53-7), most recently played at MetLife Stadium in 2010, in a 35-17 victory over Notre Dame.
Navy also has topped Army in three of four previous games held in East Rutherford (old Giants Stadium) in 1989, 1997 and 2002.
Commander-in-Chief Trophy Staying at West Point
No matter the result, Army is guaranteed to retain the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy with its win over Air Force earlier in the season. Army won the coveted trophy in 2020, defeating both Air Force and Navy, and is set to win it again on its own with a victory in this year's clash.
If Navy wins the game, the trophy will be shared, but Army will keep it at West Point, per tradition.
NewYorkBets.com prediction: Every year, you always know you will get the best from both teams, no matter what the record.
Here’s the key: Army’s rushing attack has been averaging 301 yards per game (5 yards per carry). If Navy’s defense struggles to stop it, Army will run all day. Army’s dual-threat quarterback, Christian Anderson, is the second leading rusher behind running back Tyrell Robinson.
Navy has lost to three top 25 teams this year, including giving then No. 3 Cincinnati all it could handle at home before losing by a TD. Army has given up 22.8 points per game, so the Navy fullback duo of Isaac Ruoss (608 rush yards) and Carlinos Acie (9.6 yards per carry) could cause problems for the team up north.
Still, expect Army to score and wear down Navy’s defense in the second half. Army 45, Navy 20.
