Army football schedule 2019: Game-by-game predictions

Army football had a historic 2018 season reaching double-digit wins, but what will the Black Knights have in store for an encore in 2019?

Head coach Jeff Monken and the Army Black Knights have steered around past failures and turned them into a brilliant three-year run that includes three bowl victories.

After finishing No. 19 in the rankings last season, defeating Navy in arguably the best college football rivalry and winning the Armed Forces Bowl for the second year in a row, the Black Knights should be extremely confident heading into the season.

Senior quarterback and leader of the team Kelvin Hopkins Jr. will return for his second season as a full-time starter of the squad. Last season, Hopkins Jr. ran for 17 touchdowns as a part of the famous option offense Army runs. The athletic senior quarterback also threw six touchdowns and just three interceptions through the air last season.

Stability at quarterback is huge, but the Black Knights will have to replace the team’s leading rushing option, other than Hopkins Jr., in Darnell Woolfolk. The fullback’s 14 touchdowns will have to be replaced if Army wants to repeat its recent success.

With Woolfolk gone, expect senior running back Connor Slomka to receive more touches after 324 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Both the offensive and defensive lines should be just as deep as a season ago as many starters return on both sides. The 3-4 defense that the team uses will look for similar production after finishing in the top-10 in rushing and scoring defense.

Senior linebacker Cole Christiansen will have a ton of weight on his shoulders after leading tackler and defensive anchor James Nachtigal graduated. With a young core surrounding him, Christiansen will be making the calls this upcoming season.

Senior defensive backs Elijah Riley and Jaylon McClinton round out an experienced secondary that should be able to shut down opposing passing attacks.

Here’s a game-by-game prediction of what should happen for the Black Knights in 2019.

Army game-by-game predictions

Game 1: vs Rice

Tune-up game here for the Black Knights as the team gets its feet under them with a lopsided victory over the Rice Owls.

Result: Win

Game 2: at Michigan

The toughest game of the season comes in week two for the Black Knights as Jeff Monken tries to challenge his veteran team with one of the Big Ten’s best. Expect a close game early, but no upset for Army.

Result: Loss

Game 3: at UTSA

Michigan got the better of Army just one week ago, but against a UTSA team with little to offer, Army gets right back on track with a victory.

Result: Win

Game 4: vs Morgan State

Morgan State is in for a rough one heading into Michie Stadium as the Black Knights should obliterate the visiting Bears.

Result: Win

Game 5: vs Tulane

After the first bye week of the season, Army sits at 3-1 with a two-game winning streak following the Michigan loss. Tulane could start out fast early, but Army is just too much in this game, advancing to 4-1.

Result: Win

Game 6: at Western Kentucky

A sneaky game here in Western Kentucky for the Black Knights. Expect this one to go down to the wire, but with Army controlling the time of possession, Army steals one on the road.

Result: Win

Game 7: at Georgia State

Two straight road games for the Black Knights, but after a phenomenal start to the season, Army expands its winning streak to five games and an overall record of 6-1.

Result: Win

Game 8: vs San Jose State

Another sneaky football game for Army, especially after the current winning streak, but being at home in front of a loud crowd gives the Black Knights the advantage.

Result: Win

Game 9: at Air Force

The first of two rivalry games of the year is in a difficult position for the Black Knights after rattling off six straight wins. After a 17-14 victory last year for Army, Air Force gets its revenge just a season later.

Result: Loss

Game 10: vs UMass

A disappointing rivalry loss for the Black Knights does not put a damper on the team’s season, as they rebound with a close victory to the Minutemen.

Result: Win

Game 11: vs VMI

With an 8-2 record heading into the 11th game of the season, Army continues to roll just three weeks before the biggest game on the year against Navy.

Result: Win

Game 12: at Hawaii

With the team’s sights focused on the rivalry game in two weeks against Navy, Hawaii defends its home turf against the Black Knights.

Result: Loss

Game 13: Navy

The game that readers may have skipped to on this list, Army has won the last three games as part of this fantastic rivalry. Expect another cold, physical game in Philly with the Black Knights coming out on top.

Result: Win

Final Record: 10-3