San Diego State vs. Army: 5 bold predictions for Armed Forces Bowl

1. Army will find little room to run against a tough San Diego State defense

San Diego State ranked ninth in the country during the regular season against the run. The Aztecs held opponents to 110 rushing yards per game, including a 44-yard effort by Arizona State’s Kalen Ballage. Training for the past few years against players like Rashaad Penny and Donnel Pumphrey in practice will forge a pretty darn good run defense, apparently.

San Diego State is no slouch against the pass, either. They will have no problem leaving Tariq Thompson and Kameron Kelly out on islands with only a little help over the top when necessary. With the ability to pin back their ears and really bear down on the Black Knights in the trenches, it could be a long day for Jeff Monken’s run-heavy offense.

If they had the opportunity to loosen things up with the pass, it would be one thing. But while the Black Knights average among the highest yards per completion of any team in the country, that is negated by the fact that they complete fewer than two passes per game on average. A team that landed a total of 19 completions over the course of a season is unlikely going to suddenly turn itself into an aerial-minded unit.

That means Rocky Long‘s squad is going to be able to key in on the running game with its front seven and allow the secondary to engage with the receivers without much worry of getting beat through the air. Army certainly won’t hit a nation-leading 355 yards against the Aztecs, and getting half that mark will prove tough.