Air Force is a 3.5-point favorite for Saturday’s Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy matchup at Falcon Stadium, but my Navy vs. Air Force prediction leans on the Midshipmen’s rushing efficiency and stronger run defense in a game built to stay on the ground.
Kickoff is set for noon ET on Oct. 3, with more college football picks available across the full Saturday slate.
TOP PICK
Who will win Navy vs Air Force: Navy +3.5
I'll trade the Navy Midshipmen +3.5 down to +3, because Navy's rushing offense has a strength-on-weakness edge over the Air Force Falcons' rushing defense.
Per GameOnPaper, Navy ranks 10th nationally in EPA per rush and 13th in rushing success rate. Meanwhile, Air Force's defense is 134th in EPA per rush allowed and 131st in rushing success rate allowed.
This game will be won in the trenches, and the Midshipmen's rushing defense is much better than the Air Force's. Navy ranks 28th nationally in defensive rushing success rate and 40th in EPA per rush allowed.
Furthermore, RB Braxton Woodson's probable return gives me even more confidence in the Midshipmen's ground game. Woodson is rushing for 8.46 yards per carry and gives Navy another explosive runner alongside RB Jackson Gutierrez.
COVERS INTEL: Since 2005, Service Academy Unders are 47-12-1. Air Force's running game will ensure it covers the spread and adds to the legend of this trend.
Navy vs Air Force Over/Under pick: Under 45.5
Give me the Under 45.5 down to 43.5, since I'm relying on the expected possession count and the Midshipmen's ability to defend the run.
Navy and Air Force are tied for second nationally with 333.7 rushing yards per game, and their offensive styles naturally shorten games.
Through three outings, the teams have combined for just 69 pass attempts. That's fewer opportunities for incomplete passes to stop the clock, and both teams are comfortable grinding out long possessions.
The Midshipmen also allow just 64.7 rushing yards per game, eighth-best nationally. That's a major problem for an Air Force offense built almost entirely around dual-threat QB Liam Szarka and the ground game.
Navy vs Air Force combo
This game should be decided on the ground, where Navy owns the biggest matchup advantages. The Midshipmen's efficient rushing attack faces one of the nation's worst run defenses, while Navy is much better equipped to stop Air Force's ground game.
That also correlates with both Unders. Both rarely throw, which lets long possessions drain the clock and limit scoring opportunities. Even successful Air Force drives can chew up huge chunks of the first half.
Navy vs Air Force combo
- Navy +3.5
- Under 45.5
- Under 23.5 first half
- Top picks: 8-10, -2.78 units
- Combos: 2-16, -10.25 units
Navy vs Air Force odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Navy +3.5 | Air Force -3.5
- Over/Under: Over 45.5 (54%) | Under 45.5 (51%)
- Moneyline: Navy 43% | Air Force 62%
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Navy vs Air Force weather
Reportedly, it'll be in the mid-60s Saturday at the US Air Force Academy with a slight 5.5 mph wind and no chance of rain.
Check out our college football weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
Navy vs Air Force trend to know
The road team is 5-0 against the spread in the last five Midshipmen-Falcons meetings. Find more college football betting trends for Navy vs. Air Force.
How to watch Navy vs Air Force
| Location | Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy, CO |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
Navy vs Air Force latest injuries
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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