Oklahoma vs. Navy Armed Forces Bowl: Prediction, Preview, and Betting Odds

Oklahoma vs Navy: How to Watch the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, Game Preview

Date: Friday, December 27, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: ESPN
Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Teams: Oklahoma (6-6), Navy (9-3)
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- Bowl Schedule, Scoreboard, Predictions

Why Navy Will Win

Navy is facing a whole slew of Oklahoma second-teamer. Granted, most of them would start for Navy, but this still isn’t the the team that got here, and the one that did struggled too much.

The Sooner passing game is missing three of its top four receivers, QB Jackson Arnold is off to Auburn, and star defenders LB Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman are getting ready for the NFL.

No, Navy isn’t just a running team, but it averages close to 250 yards per game. Oklahoma is 1-4 when allowing 110 rushing yards or more, and Navy has been held to under 140 yards just once, but …

Why Oklahoma Will Win

The Oklahoma run defense is fantastic.

Yes, the team is missing a few key guys, and yes, it’s not always easy to simulate the precision and timing of what the military academies do, but Oklahoma had a month to get ready to deal with this thing. This might not be the best Sooner team, but Brent Venables and this staff know how to get a defense ready.

Texas ran for 177 yards against OU. That’s the only time anyone all year averaged more than four yards per carry against this bunch.

And no, Oklahoma’s passing game won’t be anything great without all the missing parts, but it’ll start pounding away and keep it going. Navy allowed over 180 rushing yards five times. Oklahoma is 4-0 when it hits the mark.

Oklahoma vs Navy: Who Will Win?

Sometimes the teams that don’t have the main guys for a bowl game get an amazing effort out of the replacements. That doesn’t always help - especially against other Power Four programs - but that might be enough to overpower Navy.

Again, the time to prepare for what’s coming should be enough for this OU coaching staff. The speed on the Sooner run defense should be just enough to push through in game with lots and lots and lots of running.

Oklahoma vs Navy Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Prediction, Betting Lines

Prediction: Oklahoma 30, Navy 16
Line: Oklahoma -2.5, o/u: 43.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 3.5
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