At the onset of the Jeff Monken era the Army football program was an unmitigated disaster. Facilities, support, funding, and the record book told the tale of neglect. Following records of 4-8 and 2-10 Monken’s program began to kick in. Army has gone 8-5, 10-3, and 11-2 the past three seasons. Last year’s 11-win campaign was the best season in Academy history. Monken decided to emulate arch rival Navy with an option attack that is among the best seen in many years. By contrast Rice is trying its own College Football betting renaissance after a 2-11 mark in 2018
Rice Owls vs. Army Black Knights
| Date and Time: | Friday, August 30, 2019, 6 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Michie Stadium, West Point, New York |
| Rice vs. Army TV Coverage: | CBSSN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | +23½ (-110) | 50½ (-110) | +1375 |  |
| Army | -23½ (-110) | 50½ (-110) | -2400 | |
| ||||
Army Rolling Along
Arguably Army’s best statement as an emerging program was in a College Football Betting loss. To illuminate the Black Knights terrified Oklahoma in a 21-28 overtime loss as 30-point dogs. Oklahoma was well on their way to a second straight college football playoff berth. Yet Army ran for 339 yards and had a 379-355 total yards advantage. That loss did more to gain respect for Army than any win on their schedule. Although Army’s 70-14 bowl win over Houston was so devastating that it cost Houston coach Major Applewhite his job.
The Secret Sauce
Second in the nation for rushing yardage tells the Sports betting tale of the tape for Army. Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr made program history last year. Hopkins is the first player in Army history to rush and pass for 1000 yards each in a single season. Now Hopkins (1017 YDS, 4.9 YPC, 17 TD, 1026 PASS YDS, 11 YPP, 162.3 RTG) enters his senior season as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate. Of great concern is a defensive unit that lost seven starters. Army’s defense ranked eighth in the nation for 2018. Anchor/Center Bryce Holland is also gone.
Owls Not Much of a Hoot
Counter to Army is the misery of Rice. They have not won more than three games in a College Football betting season since 2016. Last year was a painful start to head coach Mike Bloomgren’s rebuild. Stanford is said to be the model that Bloomgren wants to follow. Summing up it will be a combination of brains and brawn. Patience will be needed. Consider Rice finished 124th for scoring offense and 112th for points allowed.
Rice and Army Betting Stats
Rice is:
10-5 against the spread as a road dog
5-3-1 over the total as a pup away from home
5-1 as a road dog of 20 points or more
2-4-2 under the total on the road getting 20 points or more
Army is:
2-7-1 ATS as a home favorite
2-4 under the total laying points at home
2-4 as a home chalk of 20 or more points
3-1 over the total laying 20 or more points at home
Rice vs. Army College Football Betting Picks
On this occasion Rice looks to be rebuilding. Meanwhile Army looks to reload. The only question is if the new Army starters can handle the big number.
Rice vs. Army College Football Betting Prediction: Rice Owls
Rice vs. Army College Football Betting Score Prediction: Rice 21, Army 38
Get Army news and highlights!