Rice should be improved following a two-win season it is first year under Mike Bloomgren. Stylistically, this game sets up well for the underdog because the Owls play a pro-style offense that is deliberate and chews clock. Army is getting deserved respect following a historic 11-win season and the Knights return many key players. But their option-based offense usually lacks quick strikes, and they are an unlikely candidate to create this much separation and have it hold up for their backers.

This is more of a principle play than anything else. While a part of me wants to take the Under, the total is a bit too low to feel comfortable. Instead I'll take over three touchdowns with the dog. It's hard to trust an option team to cover a three-touchdown spread, even one as strong as Army. When the opponent is another team that's looking to move slowly and control the clock, the play only seems more obvious.

This looks like one of the strongest Army teams we've seen in quite sometime. In fact, I give them a great chance of beating Michigan and going undefeated. Which means they'll take care of business in the opener against Rice. To the Owls' credit, they'll be much better in the second year of head coach Mike Bloomgren's regime, but they face a tough match up and test against the Black Knights triple-option attack.