Look, I am not judging anybody right here, however there is a motive the massive groups play a smaller group on Week 1, and it is to not assist the smaller faculty get TV rankings. Does anybody truly assume the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks are going to beat Georgia on Sept. 2?
The Navy Midshipmen opened their 2023-2024 season in opposition to the Combating Irish in Dublin over the weekend. Issues didn’t look nice for the Mids, however there are causes to be hopeful — and there is quite a lot of time earlier than the Army-Navy Sport in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in December.
Earlier than the top of the primary half, Navy was already down by 28 factors. The Mids did not rating till the fourth quarter, when Navy kicker Evan Warren hit a 31-yard discipline objective with simply 3:33 left within the sport. Quarterback Tai Lavatai gathered solely 43 passing yards. In the meantime, individuals had already begun evaluating Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman to a different well-known Notre Dame QB: Joe Montana.
Do not lose coronary heart. There have been quite a lot of causes for this.
After three straight dropping seasons and a heartbreaking time beyond regulation loss to Army in 2022, Navy didn’t re-sign 15-year veteran coach Ken Niumatalolo. Defensive coordinator Brian Newberry was elevated to go coach, and this was his first sport main the group. He is nonetheless working the choice offense Navy is thought for, however with much more performs within the playbook.
Former Kennesaw State offensive coordinator Grant Chesnut is predicted so as to add much more passing into the combo, regardless of Navy solely making seven makes an attempt in Dublin. The Mids’ working sport can also be anticipated to have extra seems to be because the group congeals over the season. We will even anticipate extra shotgun formations!
The sport was additionally a primary for Lavatai, who returned for the primary time from the season-ending knee damage he suffered in opposition to Temple in 2022. He even missed spring coaching, so it isn’t shocking he did not have the breakout sport Navy followers anticipated. Lavatai continues to be thought of to be a candidate for Comeback Participant of the Yr. Even when he does not, Navy sophomore Blake Horvath is a harmful possibility runner.
Navy nonetheless has all the weather it wants to realize yards on the bottom. Its receivers are able to make essential blocks, its offensive line is strong and whereas it might not have explosive backs, the mix of fine blocking and good working will give Navy a very good offensive season. On protection, the Mids have strong soccer veterans within the secondary, and each opponent must regulate their plans for defensive finish Jacob Busic’s move rush.
Most significantly, the Irish are good. Actually good. Hartman is a switch to Notre Dame, coming from Wake Forest, the place he grew to become the Atlantic Coast Convention’s all-time chief in landing passes. Former head coach Brian Kelly led the Irish to 5 straight successful seasons earlier than departing, and present coach Marcus Freeman tacked on yet another. They’re gonna win much more — however so will Navy.
Navy’s subsequent sport has Wagner Faculty visiting Annapolis on Sept. 9, 2023. The Army Black Knights and Air Power Falcons open their seasons on Sept. 2. Army visits Colorado Springs for the Army-Air Power sport on Nov. 4 whereas Air Power performs Navy on the street on Oct. 21. The Army-Navy Sport is on Dec. 9, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
— Blake Stilwell could be reached at blake.stilwell@army.com. He can be discovered on Fb, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.
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