2015 Bowl Games: Picking all 41 college bowls and championship game against the spread

Dec 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) poses with students after leading the Naval Academy past the Army Black Knights 21-17 at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Military Bowl presented By Northrop Grumman
Pittsburgh vs. Navy
Annapolis, Maryland | Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Dec. 28, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

This will be an absolute joy of a game to watch, and seeing Navy’s triple-option offense run to perfection by senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds is a don’t-miss attraction.

Everyone knows what Navy will do, and yet few have been able to stop them from doing it. They control the ball, the clock, and their hardnose defense creates turnovers. That’s the formula for one of the best teams a service academy has seen in decades.

Pittsburgh has seen a bit of a renaissance under first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi, and he almost had the Panthers in the ACC title game. Pitt runs a much more balanced offense, and has a more pro-style scheme. They’ve managed to put up a middle of the road 28 points per game.

Defense is where the Panthers make their living, and stopping the run is one of the things they do best. This is going to be a pounding on both sides, and the team who wins the turnover battle will probably win the game (Navy was second best in the country in turnover margin)

Line: Navy, -3.5

Defending the option is a monster task if you don’t do it often. Pitt faces Georgia Tech every season, but Navy’s offense is a a different level. Take the Midshipmen to cover.

Next: Quick Lane Bowl