Army vs. Lafayette Prediction, Game Preview
Army vs. Lafayette prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins Saturday afternoon's matchup between the Black Knights and Leopards.
Army vs. Lafayette prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins Saturday afternoon’s matchup between the Black Knights and Leopards.
When: Saturday, Oct. 15 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Michie Stadium, West Point, New York
TV Broadcast: CBSSN
What started with a three-game winning streak for the Black Knights (3-2) has quickly balanced out and brought them back down to Earth. Since picking up its third win of the season against Texas-El Paso on Sept. 17, Army has dropped back-to-back games on the road to Buffalo and Duke. The 13-6 loss to the Blue Devils was ugly. After falling behind, 13-0, in the first half, the Black Knights broke into the end zone but failed on a two-point conversion attempt. They never sniffed the end zone after that.
Outside of a 24-10 victory over Central Connecticut State, it’s been a much tougher stretch for the Leopards (1-5). Five consecutive losses to Delaware, Princeton, Villanova, Holy Cross and Fordham have created a sizable hole for the Leopards. The 38-28 loss to the Crusaders came on Homecoming weekend, but their most recent defeat to Fordham was embarrassing for the defense, 58-34. Lafayette surrendered 41 points in the first half and managed only one scoring drive in each of the final three quarters.
This will be the 19th edition of the all-time series between Army and Lafayette, which the Black Knights lead, 17-1. Army is on a 16-game winning streak versus the Leopards dating back to 1942. The two teams have always met at West Point.
What To Know About Army
Don’t expect a whole lot of production through the air from the Black Knights. In the loss to Duke, quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw completed 2-of-8 passes for 38 yards and an interception. He did, however, rush for 35 yards on 14 carries. The real threat in the ground game for Army was running back Andy Davidson, who tallied 120 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries against the Blue Devils. His longest run of the day went for 45 yards. As a team, the Black Knights rushed for 165 yards and an average of 3.8 yards per carry.
What to Know About Lafayette
The heavy dose of the running game for Army could play right to Lafayette’s weaknesses. It allowed 516 rushing yards in the loss to Fordham last time out, which accounted for 73 percent of the 709 yards of total offense the Leopards allowed.
Offensively, Lafayette got a sub-par performance from quarterback Blake Searfoss, who completed 25-of-41 passes for 325 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. His lone touchdown pass went to Joey Chenoweth, who caught five balls for 79 yards. And then DeSean Brown supplied 39 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Searfoss also found his way across the plane for a touchdown, as he ran the ball six times for 13 yards.
Advantages
Offense: Lafayette – The Leopards can at least throw the ball. They get the nod.
Defense: Army – Lafayette just gave up 58 points to Fordham — I repeat, to Fordham. The Black Knights have the edge.
Special Teams: Lafayette – Two of Jacob Bissell’s three field goal misses were from more than 40 yards out. At least we know he’s reliable within 40 yards.
Coaching: Lafayette – Jeff Monken is in his third season with Army, but Frank Tavani has been the head coach of Lafayette for almost two decades and has spent 30 years with the Leopards. They get the advantage.
Matchup To Watch
Army running game vs. Lafayette
The Leopards absolutely, positively have to find a way to slow down the Army running game. They were just gashed by Fordham, and now they’re taking on the Black Knights, who make their living by toting the rock. If Lafayette can come up with some tackles in the backfield and put Army in third-and-long situations, it can force the Black Knights to put the ball in the air, and that might not end too well for them. Having said that, if Army can move the chains by staying in between the tackles, Lafayette will be in for a long game.
Betting Odds
Spread: No line as of post
Over/Under: No line as of post
Army vs. Lafayette Prediction
Davidson could really break free in this one. After hitting the century mark against Duke, the Black Knights’ halfback will push the 150-yards-rushing mark against Lafayette. He’ll find his way into the end zone twice — once in each half — and he’ll be a key part of the Army offensive attack. The Black Knights will control time of possession and keep the Lafayette defense on the field way longer than it should be. The Leopards will keep it close, but they’ll come up short a few times while trying to find their way into the red zone. Army takes a close one.
Army vs. Lafayette Score Prediction: Army 27, Lafayette 21
