Navy (8-4) faces off against Utah (8-4) on Thursday night in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, CA. Navy will look to keep its running game going against a fairly strong defensive unit when it faces Utah. Navy’s ground game is second to none as the rank first in the Division 1A football with over 351 yds/game. Running the option taught by departed head coach Paul Johnson has had this team looking formidable all season. Utah is no push over with the running game as well. They are led by junior tailback Darrell Mack, who rushed for 1128 yards and 10 touchdowns this season averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Navy has lead the NCAA in rushing for 4 out of the last 5 seasons, this being the 3rd in a row.

Utah is far superior athletically than Navy is, so this will be a tough task for the Midshipmen. Utah will look to attack through the air due to the 106th ranked pass defense of Navy. Utah has the 15th rated pass defense in Division 1A, so look for Navy to stick solidly to that number 1 rushing game. Utah offensive line is far bigger than the Navy defensive line, and Darrell Mack’s strength is running north and south up the gut. Very interesting quarterback play here as Navy’s Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku Enhada is a very elusive, intelligent quarterback who has seemed to make all the correct in game decisions this year for Navy. On the other side of the ball, Utah’s Brian Johnson is a much better passer than Kaheaku Enhada, yet inconsistency is very becoming of him. Neither team with be throwing a lot in this game.

Look for defense and special teams to be the key factor in this game. Utah holds a heavy advantage over Navy in both of those two departments. SS Steve Tate of Utah is fantastic against the run and will play a big role in this one as to which team prevails. Statistically speaking Utah has a heavy advantage over this one, but the complex rushing attack of the Midshipmen is extremely tough to stop. Derek Richards, a WR for Utah, will also look to have a big game in the return department for the Utes. Reggie Campbell of Navy may also have a big play or two in him for the Midshipmen. All though on paper Utah holds the advantage, I think this will be a tight game.