2009 Army Black Knights NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 9, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Army Black Knights 2009 Predictions It hasn’t been pretty for the Army Black Knights lately, as they haven’t had a winning season since 1996. In 2008 the Black Knights finished up the season at 3-9, but four of their losses were by 9 points or less. This year the Black Hawks have just 12 returning starters, but if they find a way to win the close games they could end winning more than they lose. The team also has a new head coach in Rich Ellerson, and it will be interesting to see if he can turn this program aroun. Here is a look at what the Black Knights are expected to send out on the field this season on both sides of the ball.

On offense the Black Knights have just 5 starters back from last year, and will once again run an option attack, as Ellerson plans to run the triple option attack this season. Last year junior Chip Bowden and Carson Williams both spent time under center, and both are back this season, but don’t be surprised if sophomore Max Jenkins doesn’t get a chance to show what he can do as well. The Black Knights aren’t much for passing the football, as they averaged just 52 yards a game last season, and don’t expect to throw it that much this year. They did lose their leading rusher from last season in Collin Mooney, who ran for a team best 1,339 yards and 8 scores. Look for Senior Ian Smith and junior Patrick Mealy to get the bulk of the carries that went to Mooney last year, but the Black Knights also get some help from Bowden when he is under center, as he ran for 572 yards last season. The Black Knights are going to be very inexperienced on the offensive line, as they have just one starter back from last season, in senior right tackle Jason Johnson. Joining Johnson on the right side will likely be junior Seth Reed, while junior Mikel Weich and sophomore Brad Kelly take over on the right side. The team looks set on junior Zachary Peterson at center to round out this group, but there has to be a lot of concern on how well these guys will step in and play this season. If the option is working the Black Knights can control the football and the game, but if the offense struggles to score this team is going to have a hard time winning football games. Bet the Black Nights this season at Sportsbook.com.

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On defense the Black Knights have 7 starters coming back, but this was a unit that allowed 34 points a game last season. Up front the Black Knights have a couple of really good players in junior defensive end Joshua McNary and senior defensive tackle Victor Ugenyi. McNary had an outstanding 69 tackles and 4.5 sacks from the end position, and this year they are hoping to get even more out of this guy. At linebacker the Black Knights have just one returning starter in junior middle linebacker Stephen Anderson, but he is very good at his position. Two sophomores are expected to take over on the outside in Andrew Rodriguez and Steve Erzinger. In the secondary the Black Knights have three starters back and it looks as though junior Desmond Lamb will be the one to step in at the open strong safety spot. Junior Donovan Travis returns at free safety, while junior Jordan Trimble and senior Mario Hill hold down the two corner spots again this season. Overall this unit should improve from last season, but they are going to need some really good play from their young talent, especially in sophomores Rodrigquez and Erzinger. Do all your college football betting this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: 5-7 Overall. Being an Independent team its pretty much all or nothing for the Black Knights, and though I think they improve from 2008, I see them falling just short when it comes to being bowl eligible.

Looking for a little extra advice for your NCAA football picks this season? Be sure to check back for our expert NCAA football predictions and the latest college football odds at Betfirms.

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