Bucknell vs Navy Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

The Bucknell Bison and Navy Midshipmen meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Here’s a Bucknell vs Navy Prediction. This article will include a Bucknell vs Navy Pick.

Bucknell Bison Betting Preview

The Bucknell Bison won four games last season and enter the sixth year under coach Dave Cecchini. Bucknell hasn’t won more than 4 games in a season since 2017. Ralph Rucker IV returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,537 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. Bucknell lost its running back production, but returns a receiving duo in Eric Weatherly and Derrick Anderson Jr. that combined for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Defensively, Gavin Willis returns after 69 tackles, Chris Sims had 3 pass deflections and Roman Pearson had 1 forced fumble. Bucknell hasn’t been good in ages and said goodbye to a lot of production on both sides of the ball. However, Bucknell has a reliable quarterback and a decent secondary. Still, this isn’t an ideal season opener for a Bucknell side that hasn’t seen much success over the last decade. Bucknell will meet VMI and Merrimack after this game.

Navy Midshipmen Betting Preview

The Navy Midshipmen won 5 games last year and haven’t made a bowl appearance since 2019. Navy enters the second season under coach Brian Newberry. Navy brings back quarterbacks Blake Horvath and Braxton Woodson, which gives them two reliable options at the position. The Navy offensive line returns four starters, and Alex Tecza returns after leading the Midshipmen with 758 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Defensively, Colin Ramos returns after leading Navy with 110 tackles, Luke Pirris had 4.5 sacks and Dashaun Peele had 4 interceptions. Navy has the bodies to be solid defensively, and there are pieces to work with offensively. Navy should be a bowl team this season, but making a run in the AAC comes down to the improvement of the offense. We’ll see what the addition of offensive coordinator Drew Cronic does for that side of the ball. Navy will face Temple following this one.

Why the Navy Midshipmen will win

• Navy has won six of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Navy’s last four games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Bucknell vs Navy Prediction

The Navy Midshipmen are the better team on both sides of the ball and could easily blow the doors off. However, Navy isn’t this big of a favorite often, as it’s just the second time since 2019 where the Midshipmen are laying 30 or more points. Navy is also a run first team that chews up a lot of clock, and it can make it difficult to get the amount of possessions it takes to cover a line this massive. Also, the Bucknell Bison have a proven quarterback, which has to count for something. You’d think Bucknell can string together a drive or two. Give me Bucknell and the boatload of points.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Bucknell Bison +33.5