Here’s everything you need to know about the Army Black Knights’ season opener against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
As the Army Black Knights and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders prepare to face off for the first time ever, both teams are hoping to make vast improvements from the 2019 season, a season that saw both teams finish with a sub-.500 record. Army, who was coming off one of it’s best seasons in 2018, finished last season with a 5-8 record, suffering losses to the likes of Western Kentucky, Georgia State, and rival Navy, among others.
Army enters the 2020 season with 13 starters returning from last year’s team, but the position to keep an eye on is quarterback. Jabari Laws steps in as the new full-time starter and takes over an offense that ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per game. Everyone knows Army is a run-heavy type of team that depends on the decision making of their quarterback. Laws did a great job last season, finishing as the team’s fourth-leading rusher with 484 yards, and did so in just five starts. Among the returning starters are both leading rushers from 2019 and if the Black Knights’ offensive line can hold steady, Army’s offense will be nothing less than the usual.
On defense, the Black Knights have some pretty roles to fill as their leading tackler and their leader in sacks and interceptions in 2019 are both gone. Army’s defense the past three seasons has been stingy and holding Michigan to just 24 points in their matchup against the Wolverines last season is the highlight of their potential dominance in 2020. But Army is going to need to fill the voids on defense quick if they want to get back above .500 and back into postseason play.
For the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, they finished 2019 4-8, recording their first losing record since 2011. But expect vast improvements from the Blue Raiders in 2020. In fact, Middle Tennesse could make such a huge jump this season that they should be considered a sleeper team in the Group of Five Conferences.
On offense, the Blue Raiders return four of their five starters on the offensive line, and dual-threat quarterback, Asher O’Hara. O’Hara, one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, was the third leading rusher among quarterbacks in 2019, finishing with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. O’Hara also had 2,616 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, making him the team’s offensive x-factor.
The Blue Raiders lost some depth from 2019, but given how bad their defense played, things may not be all that bad. Middle Tennessee had one of the worst pass rushes in the country a year ago, finishing just ahead of one team in total sacks. So for the Middle Tennessee defense, there is only way to go and that is up. DQ Thomas’ name should be called quite a bit in this one as he will be the lead disruptor in Middle Tennessee’s attempt to stop the Army run game.
How to watch and how to bet on Army vs. Middle Tennessee State
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Start Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
- Location: West Point, New York
- Stadium: Michie Stadium
- TV Info: CBSSN
- Odds: Army -5.5, O/U 54.5
- Live Stream: CBS Sports App
Prediction: Both teams are out to prove something and this game could go in either teams’ favor. Shutting down Army’s run game is nearly impossible but if Middle Tennessee can get four touchdowns on the board, it will be hard for them to lose this game. And that is exactly what happens. Asher O’Hara picks up multiple scores through the air and on the ground for the Blue Raider offense as Middle Tennesse upsets the Black Knights.
Score: Middle Tennessee 38, Army 28.