They didn’t meet in the regular season, and this is a tad muted because of the circumstances, but it should still be among the most interesting of the championship games.
Army still gets Navy in a few weeks - the bowl season starts to kick in then - but in its first year in the AAC it gets a shot to cap off a season with a title, and then Navy, and then a bowl with a 13-win campaign possible.
We’d be having a very different discussion right now about the CFP possibilities had Tulane not lost last week to Memphis - it’s just as well; the Green Wave still wouldn’t have made it in no matter what - but win, and the program gets back a title after losing last year to SMU.
Nov 30, 2024; West Point, New York, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) carries the ball on an option run behind Army Black Knights offensive lineman Connor Finucane (60) during the second half against the UTSA Roadrunners at Michie Stadium.
© Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Tulane vs Army, American Athletic Championship: How to Watch and Game Preview
Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm
How To Watch: FOX
Venue: Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
Teams: Tulane (9-3), Army (10-1)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Championship Week Schedule, Predictions
Why Army Will Win
So what did Memphis do so well to beat Tulane? It ran the ball. What does Army do better than anyone in America? It runs the ball.
Memphis pounded away for 236 yards with its style that’s great at getting backs in space. The only other team to hit the Green Wave with over 200 yards was Kansas State in a 34-27 Wildcat win.
Army has yet to be held under 200 yards this season, including against Notre Dame, and this has to work.
Army also leads the nation in fewest turnovers, yards per completion, and most importantly to its style - along with the ground game - time of possession. However …
Why Tulane Will Win
Tulane is fourth in the nation in time of possession.
It doesn’t have to win the TOP battle, but as long as it keeps it relatively close, Army is in trouble.
The rushing yard thing has a flip side in this. Yeah, Army is the superstar when it comes to the ground attack, but Tulane has the same formula. Run a lot - albeit in a much different way - own third downs, keep the chains moving, and don’t turn the ball over.
The Green Wave are better on third downs offensively than Army, they’re fourth in the nation in time of possession, and they don’t have a turnover problem. And then there’s that ground attack.
Tulane is 9-0 when running for 150 yards or more, 0-3 when it doesn’t. So …
Tulane vs Army, American Athletic Championship: Who Will Win?
Army’s run defense is great because the D is always rested, and opponents don’t get enough chances. Only three teams this season ran for 30 times or more against Army - that includes Navy - so Memphis has to be efficient.
It’s a road game, it’ll be cold, and Tulane will be just fine. Its ground game won’t outplay Army’s, but it won’t be too far off.
Tulane vs Army, American Athletic Championship Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Tulane 30, Army 14
Line: Tulane -4.5, o/u: 45.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 4
Must See Rating: 4
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