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THE PLAY: Total Under 46.5 (-110)

Word from the Pentagon is that Navy might have some problems hanging onto the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for a third straight season if it can’t get QB Braxton Woodson (out recently with an ankle sprain) back to active duty. Though Woodson entered 2026 with limited work in the past, he was Brian Newberry’s preferred choice to run Drew Cronic’s unique option-with-Wing T elements because of his explosive running ability, which were on display in early games vs. Towson and Florida Atlantic when Woodson would rank among the nation’s rush leaders with 296 yards and four TDs after just two weeks. Granted, backup Jackson Gutierrez has also displayed some pop, but last week’s loss at UAB was more than a bit sobering especially as the Midshipmen were uncharacteristically sloppy when losing two fumbles in Birmingham. Meanwhile, Troy Calhoun’s corresponding option at Air Force seems to be running at peak efficiency (interestingly also on 1,001 rushing yards, as is Navy, after three games) with a more-experienced pilot in Liam Szarka, who punished Nevada with 171 rushing yards in last week’s exciting OT win in Reno. Service academy rivalries usually prompt us to consider looking “under” (48-14-1 the past 21 years!) as the dueling options often keep the chains and clock moving, and on the average about 15-20 fewer plays from scrimmage than most other FBS, non-dueling option battles. Though the Navy-Air Force rivalry has been a little more lively than the other recent matchups involving Army, as the case last year’ in the Mids’ 34-31 win at Annapolis. Note that Szarka dazzled in that clash in one of his earliest starts, accounting for 364 yards and all four Falcon TDs (two rushing, two passing). If there’s an advantage either way at the remodelled Falcon Stadium, it’s probably him, even if Woodson returns to active duty this week for the Mids, though as usual our first reaction is to look "under" in Commander-in-Chief battles. Play the Under