Air Force (at Michigan) and Army (at Ohio State) each face tough challenges this weekend. Navy has a bye week. Here are your Service Academy predictions for Week 3.
Saturday, September 16
AIR FORCE AT MICHIGAN, Noon ET (TV: BTN)
Air Force (1-0) travels to Ann Arbor to face the Wolverines (2-0) in Michigan Stadium. Last week Michigan defeated Cincinnati 36-14. If the Falcons can get pressure on Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight they may have a shot at pulling off an upset. Speight’s pass completion rate is just over 50 percent with three touchdowns and two inceptions. Air Force has the players to get some pressure on Speight. Defensive end Santo Coppola (4.0 sacks) is a player who can accomplish that mission. The Falcons, like Army, will have their hands full on Saturday. I expect both Air Force and Army to at least make things interesting, though they’ll both likely head home with their first losses of the season.
Prediction: Michigan 31, Air Force 20.
ARMY AT OHIO STATE, 4:30 ET (TV: Fox)
Army (2-0) travels to Ohio State (1-1). The Bucks fell to Oklahoma last week 31-16 so practice has been rough this week in Columbus. Army might have a chance in this game if their passing offense was as formidable as it was last season. The Black Knights still need to make some passes if they are to have a shot on Saturday. It is possible that this not so stellar OSU defense will have no clue how to stop the option. By the end of the first couple of Army series, we’ll know if this is the case. My guess is that the sheer athleticism and speed of OSU will keep Army at bay but I believe the Black Knights will at least compete.
Prediction: Ohio State 38, Army 24
Navy (2-0) has a bye week this week. Next week they will host Cincinnati.
