The 2024 Armed Forces Bowl features the 6-6 Oklahoma Sooners against the 9-3 Navy Midshipmen. Here is the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl Preview.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma won six games to reach bowl eligibility this season. They defeated two bowl-eligible teams this season: Tulane and Alabama. All six of their losses were to teams that made bowl games.
The Sooners score 24.3 points per game, ranking 96th in the country. They pass for 167.6 yards (ranked 122nd) and rush for 154.9 yards per game (ranked 76th).
Jackson Darnold is in the transfer portal, so Michael Hawkins is in line to start this game for the Sooners. During the regular season, Hawkins passed for 536 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 62.3 percent completion. Five pass-catchers had at least 200 receiving yards this season. Their top two receivers, tight end Bauer Sharp and J.J. Hester, are in the transfer portal, so other players will need to step up.
Four running backs had at least 200 rushing yards during the regular season. Jovantae Barnes led the team with 577 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Taylor Tatum and Xavier Robinson have 272 and 212 rushing yards respectively. Arnold ran well from the quarterback position and Hawkins will provide that threat as well.
Defensively, the Sooners allow 21.6 points per game, ranking 35th in the country. They allow 212.4 passing yards and 105.8 rushing yards per game. Linebacker Danny Stutsman has been a tackle-machine with 110 on the season. R Mason Thomas has the team lead with nine sacks. Kani Walker is in the transfer portal, but Eli Bowen has been good in th secondary with four passes defended and one interception.
Navy Midshipmen
Navy won nine games to qualify for a bowl game. They defeated four bowl-eligible teams this season: Memphis, USF, East Carolina and Army. Their only loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game was to Rice.
The Midshipmen score 33.2 points per game, ranking 32nd in the country. They pass for 126.4 yards (ranked 132nd) and rush for 249.3 yards per game (ranked sixth).
Starting quarterback Blake Horvath returned from injury for the Army game. He has been passing the ball more than most Navy quarterbacks do with 1,261 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions on 57.5 percent completion. Three players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season, as Navy has thrown the ball a little more out of their option attack. Eli Heidenreich is the leading receiver with 649 yards and six touchdowns.
Horvath leads the team in rushing yards with 1,099, but four other players have at least 200 yards on the season. Alex Tecza and Heidenreich have been impressive with 525 and 421 rushing yards a piece.
Defensively, the Midshipmen give up 22.3 points per game, ranking 44th in the country. They concede 207.7 passing yards and 156 rushing yards per game. Colin Ramos has been all over the field for the Midshipmen with 117 total tackles. Justin Reed paces the team with five sacks. Dashaun Peele produced in the secondary with five passes defended and five interceptions.
Prediction
Oklahoma has plenty of time to prepare for the Navy option attack. Navy had to prep for and beat Army, limiting their preparation time. Oklahoma’s defense can limit Navy, while the offense can do enough to win the game.
Oklahoma Sooners 28 Navy Midshipmen 14
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