2008 Navy College Football Picks & Predictions
We expect Navy to be the class of the service academies this season. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo will pick up right where Paul Johnson left off as he keeps the offense a well-oiled machine. Navy should be bowl bound for the sixth straight year. Jimmy Boyd’s college football predictions in his 2008 Navy Midshipmen season preview covers all the ins and out of the upcoming season.
Offense
No chance that new head coach Ken Niumatalolo will be changing the triple-option offense which has taken Navy to five straight bowl games and also earned it five straight Comander-in-Chief’s trophies. Navy wasted no time promoting Niumatalolo who spent 10 seasons as an assistant under Johnson, coaching every offensive position and calling the plays for the first NCAA team to lead the nation in rushing for three straight seasons. Navy can’t afford to let up, however, as it returns just four offensive starters. Senior starting QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada is the engine that makes the offense work. He must return healthy from offseason knee surgery for the offense to be at its best. Niumatalolo needs to find a full complement of slot backs and fullbacks, but luckily he has some experience to go to. Senior slot back Shun White and senior fullback Eric Kettani are not technically returning starters, but each have seen plenty of playing time and know the offense well. The new head man also plans on using backup QB Jarod Bryant as a slot man and punt returner.
Defense
Navy’s defense was horrible in 2007, finishing 108th nationally in points allowed (36.4), 81st against the run (175.8 ypg), 106th against the pass (263.4 ypg), and 99th in total defense (439.2 ypg). Luckily, the offense does such a great job at controlling the ball and eating up the clock. Injuries played a big part in last year’s problems. Eight returning starters, we should see a much better unit on the field in 2008. There is also speculation that the defense gets hurt because much of its practice is against the triple option which few teams run. Niumatalolo is putting together better scout team offenses to make sure his guys are more prepared for what they will be facing each week.
Special Teams
This is an area where Navy can really stand to improve. Kicker Matt Harmon was just six for 10 on field goal attempts a season ago and had two blocked. The Mids didn’t punt well at all last season and hope that Kyle Delahooke will be the answer. Losing Reggie Campbell, who handled both kicks and punts, hurts the return game.
Prediction
Defensive improvement gives the Mids a chance to improve on last year’s eight-win season. Their flawless execution of the triple option continues to make them one of the toughest teams to stop. Navy won a lot of close games in 2007, including two in OT. They’ll have to have the ball bounce their way again if they want to best last season’s mark as the teams on their schedule have also improved.
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