Navy and Pittsburgh headline the Military Bowl in what should be a tightly contested affair, as sportsbooks initially opened the Midshipmen as 4-point favorites for the tilt. Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds took a middle of the pack Midshipmen squad and brought them to new levels this season, becoming a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate in the process as the leader of Navy’s triple-option attack.
- Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU and ATS in its last five games in December.
- Pittsburgh is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games after losing the previous game.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of Pittsburgh's last eight games against the American Athletic Conference.
Navy has only suffered defeats against Top 25 teams Notre Dame and Houston this season, which means Pitt will have their work cut out for them. The Panthers are no slouch, however. Under first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi, the Panthers had its first eight-win season since 2010 and their first winning record in the ACC since 2011. This will mark Narduzzi’s first bowl game of his career.
The Atlantic Coast Conference has given Navy fits in recent games, as the Midshipmen are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games versus the conference.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans backing the Navy Midshipmen here saw them at Sportsbook as -5-point favorites in this college football clash. As of December 11th, the OVER/UNDER was sitting at 56 at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 36-26 victory for the Midshipmen. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs Navy Midshipmen Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Panthers will try to spoil to the party on Monday; they are 6-6 ATS against the spread this season, while the Navy Midshipmen are 8-3 ATS. Pittsburgh is 5-6-1 on the over under betting totals; Navy is 6-4-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Navy vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
According to the Power Rankings here at Odds Shark it's the No. 27-rated Navy Midshipmen and the No. 62-rated Pittsburgh Panthers in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Navy's No. 17-ranked offense, averaging 37.55 PPG, against a Pittsburgh defense that ranks No. 49 this week at 24.58 PPG. The Navy aerial game is averaging 90.36 yards per game, less than the Pittsburgh Panthers secondary allows through the air, 218.17 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Pittsburgh Panthers feature the league's No. 24-rated road run defense, allowing 131 yards per game. Navy, meanwhile, ranks No. 4 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Darrin Hall tore up the turf for 103 rushing yards in the latest Panthers game, a 29-24 loss to the Hurricanes at Heinz Field.
Keenan Reynolds handled the Cougars defense in his team's most recent action, throwing for 312 yards, but Navy still lost to Houston 52-31.
