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2008 Army College Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

Head coach Stan Brock’s decision to bring back the wishbone should help the Knights play to their strengths. There’s no guarantee that they will execute it well or start winning more games, but showing the opposition a new look should help their chances. Jimmy Boyd’s college football predictions in this 2008 Army Black Knights season preview provides his take on the upcoming season.

Offense

Army’s offense was one of the worst in the country in Stan Brock’s first year, ranking 115th in scoring (16.9 ppg), 111th in rushing (87.4 ypg), 95th in passing (188.1 ypg), and 116th in total offense (275.5 ypg). This has caused Brock to waste no time shaking things up as he plans to install the wishbone for the upcoming season. The wishbone has been Army’s historical identity. It helped the team stay competitive under Jim Young in the 1980’s and Bob Sutton in the 1990’s. Todd Berry thought he could win with the spread and Bobby Ross thought he could win with a pro-style offense since but both have failed. Air Force and Navy have proven that the triple-option can help undersized teams succeed against bigger and stronger teams in recent years and I think moving back to the wishbone is the right direction for Army to be heading in. Here’s the dilemma this season though. The Black Knights need to find seven new offensive starters, including three lineman and the academy’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches Jeremy Trimble. The QB spot is vital with this offense. Carson Williams proved to be a capable signal caller last season, but he may not be the best option with the wishbone. Carlo Sandiego moved from running back to QB in the spring and incoming QB Paul McIntosh ran the spread option in high school.

Defense

Something has to be changed on this side of the ball as the Knight allowed 30 or more points in each of their final six games. They also ranked in the bottom 30 nationally in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing defense. New faces will have to provide the help as only five starters return. Army will virtually have to start from scratch in the secondary which was the only respectable unit last season, ranking 16th in the nation in passing yards allowed. The line should be the strength of this defense this year with five juniors who gained valuable experience a season ago. Defensive tackle Ted Bentler is the anchor. Linebacker Frank Scappaticci moves from the weak side to the middle and is the team’s top returning tackler. The other linebacker spots are not nearly as solid.

Special Teams

The kicking game is in the rebuilding stage. The Knights must replace standout punter Owen Tolson and a dangerous returner in Trimble. Kicker Adam DeMarco only has two career field goal attempts and punter Andy Rinehart is yet to gain game experience.

Prediction

Army will be bringing up the rear as far as the military schools go. I like Brock move of reverting back to the wishbone, but it is going to tale several seasons of recruiting to get the right players for the system.

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