NFL Playoffs Wild Card Game Predictions - 2008 College Football Bowl Game Expert Picks

BetVega Experts News & Articles

Navy Midshipmen: Are They for Real?

By: Steve Merril Date: Nov 25, 2008
Print Article Send to a friend

By Matt Josephs for Steve Merril Sports

The Naval Academy’s future this season has already been determined as they are penciled in for the Eagle Bank Bowl against an ACC team on December 20th. Still, do they deserve to play in a better bowl? Are they for real?

Navy has tested themselves this season against some quality opponents and the Midshipmen have passed a few of those tests. They are 1-1 SU against the ACC having beaten Wake Forest and losing to Duke on the road. Navy has also defeated solid Rutgers and Air Force squads this year. The Midshipmen defeated Temple on an improbable comeback in overtime, and then came up just a bit short in a failed comeback attempt against Notre Dame, 27-21.

Navy currently ranks 2nd in total rushing offense in the nation behind Nevada as the Midshipmen average 295 yards on the ground and 5.3 yards per carry (versus opponents that allow just 191 yards and 4.8 ypr). Navy rushes the ball for 81% of their total offensive yards and 87% of their offensive plays with only 7 pass attempts per game.

They have a host of backs who get the ball. The leading rusher is Shun White who has 873 yards this season and a fantastic 8.4 yards per rush average. He was the hot topic early this season after his three touchdowns and 348 yard rushing yards versus Towson in the season opener. Also carrying the rock is Eric Kettani who is second on the team with 71.5 yards per game which ranks 59th overall in the nation.

It has been a revolving door at quarterback with Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada not playing much this year. This has forced Navy to go to the bench for Jarod Bryant and now Ricky Dobbs who is expected to start versus Northern Illinois. Each quarterback has had their shining moments this season, even if it’s just handing the ball off and playing ball control offense.

Defensively, Navy has been decent against the run, but horrendous versus the pass. Navy is ranked 107th in the pass efficiency defensive categories and they have regularly been beaten through the air this season. Navy does not pressure the quarterback and their defense has allowed 66.6% completions and 8.3 yards per pass this season (versus opponents that average just 59.8% and 7.2 ypp).

Navy has two games left in the regular season which includes a Tuesday night trip to Northern Illinois and then the season finale versus Army. If the Midshipmen can win out this season, they might garner a better bowl bid. Their running game is potent this season, but Navy is not for real as their pass defense (ranked 107th) and their poor kick return unit (ranked 111th) remain as major weaknesses.

Matt Josephs is a producer for ESPN Radio in Richmond Virginia. He loves the home underdog and the Temple Owls.

Steve Merril
	Late-Night College Hoops Winner! Steve Merril's 26-11 run continues with the late-night college hoops winner for Monday - Louisiana Tech/Hawaii - 11:55 pm ET - Guaranteed Side that will finish your night right!

Click here to view all of Steve Merril's premium picks.

Social Bookmarking

Steve Merril: All Leagues 22-10 (69% for +$1134)
Zach Ziglar: All Leagues 9-1 (90% for +$795)
Zach Ziglar: NCAAF 6-0 (100% for +$600)
Bob Balfe: All Leagues 20-15 (58% for +$442)

All handicapper streaks shown above are based on the last 7 days of picks.

Free 3-Day Trial Sign Up:

First Name:

Last Name:

E-mail:


Yesterday Overall
Steve Merril	+$400
Jim Kruger	+$100
Zach Ziglar	+$95


Last 7 Days Overall
Steve Merril	+$1134
Zach Ziglar	+$795
Bob Balfe	+$442


2008-2009 NBA
Steve Merril	+$657
Mr. East	+$576
Ben Burns	+$119


2008-2009 NFL
Mr. East	+$1915
Steve Merril	+$1761
Zach Ziglar	+$729


2008-2009 NCAAF
Steve Merril	+$2222
Bob Balfe	+$2166
Mr. East	+$1755


2008-2009 NCAAB
Michael Alexander	+$687
Zach Ziglar	+$584
Craig Trapp	+$527

The 2008-2009 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend is upon us here at BetVega-Experts.com. Last week we saw another amazing performance by the top football handicappers in the nation. Steve Merril continued his amazing NFL Picks season by moving his NFL run to 39-21 coming into Wild Card weekend NFL Game Predictions! Ben Burns continued his red hot run on the gridiron and the NBA! Mr. East continued to prove that he is the most consistent handicapper on BetVega Experts by ranking 2nd in the NFL Handicapper Rankings with +577 units! Make sure you are on board this week for all NFL Playoffs Experts Picks as the NFL Betting Picks week kicks off early on Thursday Night with the Jets vs. Patriots!

BetVega-Experts.com is pleased to welcome Ben Burns for the 2008 football season. Ben is an extremely successfull handicapper who has dozens of documented Top 3 finishes in football, basketball, baseball AND hockey, including numerous national seasonal titles. Competing against 150 of the biggest names in the business, in his years while at one of the most reputable and recognized sports monitors, Ben ranks as the #1 NFL handicapper of All-time. In fact, no one else is even close! At the same monitor, Ben is also the #1 documented NHL handicapper of All-Time! Ben is widely renowned as a “Totals Expert” in all sports. He also tends to particularly shine during the postseason. He entered Super Bowl XLII having gone 47-21 (69%) with his NFL playoff selections the past five years and a perfect 10-0 with his Super Bowl selections since making his picks available for the public.

Another big name in the sports handicapping industry is Steve Merril. Steve has been the #1 ranked handicapper at BetVega-Experts since he began posting picks here in 2008. His consistent winning record and hard working approach has provided many clients with a windfall of cash season after season. Steve Merril's record includes has numerous documented national No. 1 finishes in NFL, NCB football, MLB baseball, NBA, and NCB basketball; Won the inaugural $100,000 Insider's Handicapping Invitational.