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Army Football: 3 reasons to watch 2018 Armed Forces Bowl vs. Houston

By Justin Dottavio

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Mike Reynolds #29 of the Army Black Knights reacts after his interception with teammates John Voit #59 and Calen Holt #42 in the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Black Knights defeated the Owls 28-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Mike Reynolds #29 of the Army Black Knights reacts after his interception with teammates John Voit #59 and Calen Holt #42 in the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Black Knights defeated the Owls 28-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Army could win with its passing game

Army is rightfully known for their running game but Kelvin Hopkins Jr. can sling the ball, too. Hopkins, a junior quarterback, has thrown for 895 yards and six touchdowns which is good for 11 yards per passing attempt. The dual-threat quarterback has also rushed for 788 yards and 10 scores in 2018. He took over for Ahmad Bradshaw who threw half the attempts of Hopkins in 2017.

Hopkins is joined in the backfield by Darnell Woolfolk, a 235-pound bowling ball of a runner. Woolfolk has ran for 2,235 yards over his career amassing 37 touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry. Army starts and stops on their fullback. Yet I don’t believe that the running game is how Army knocks off the Cougars. Sure, it will be an important part of the body blows that gas Houston’s defense but the uppercut that knocks the Cougars out will be the timely passing of Hopkins.

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The Cadets top two receivers have caught a combined 16 passes but they average over 20 yards per reception and have scored four touchdowns. That means when they tough the ball one in four snags goes into the end zone. Houston will have the box loaded up to stop the ground and pound running game of Army West Point before they hit the air for a back breaking touchdown.

Prediction: Army West Point by 7

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