San Diego State (8-4) v. Navy (9-3)
SDSU favored by 3
The Poinsettia Bowl offers quite an interesting matchup. Navy is having one of their best seasons in quite some time, and San Diego State is doing the same.
But the disparity comes when you look at the teams' schedules. San Diego State came to play every time out. Their three losses are by a late field goal at Missouri (24-27), three points at BYU (21-24), five points at undefeated Rose Bowl participant TCU (35-40), perhaps that team's biggest test, and four points against Utah (34-38) after a late fourth quarter punt was blocked for a Ute touchdown.
Navy beat Notre Dame, badly. Us fans had nothing to say about that game besides our guys laid an egg, and the other guys took it to them. That kind of sounds familiar. Other than that, the Midshipmen have not really been tested. Losses to Air Force (6-14) and Duke stand out, and other than the aforementioned ND win and an early season escape versus Maryland, this team's victories are not that impressive.
So what does this mean? Well, that Navy can come out and take it to you if you aren't prepared. It also means that the Aztecs have not, yet, let a team do that to them this season.
The pick: State - I feel like having a month to prepare for the triple option could minimize its productivity.
The line: Navy hasn't exactly played shutdown defense this season. The Aztecs surely have the offense to pour it on, too, and I expect them to do just that. They cover.
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