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Where: Michie Stadium, West Point NY
When: 12:00 PM EDT
TV: CBS Sports Network
Vegas Odds: Army -3.5 Over/Under 54.5 points
At noon this Saturday, the Jeff Monken era will officially begin. The Black Knights play host to a Buffalo team that trailed Duquesne by 4 points with under 10 minutes to play until second-year starting QB Joe Licata threw two touchdowns to secure the 38-28 victory. While Buffalo totaled 472 yards of offense, they allowed Duquesne to gain 373 yards.
While this may look promising to an Army team returning so much offensive talent, Duquesne only ran for 51 yards. The Dukes threw for 322 yards, which is over a third of Army's total passing yards for the entire 2013 season. Army will need their new offensive line to create some rushing lanes for Terry Baggett, Larry Dixon, and either Angel Santiago or A.J. Schurr.
Match Up to Watch: CB Josh Jenkins vs QB Joe Licata
Army is hoping their sophomore corner in Josh Jenkins can start the season off hot as he looks to limit Buffalo's passing game and force JR RB Anthone Taylor to win the game on the ground. Licata threw for almost 300 yards and has two large weapons on the outside to throw to in WR Ron Willoughby (6'4") and TE Matt Weiser (6'5"). If Army wants to stay in this game long enough to get their running game working, Jenkins and company will have to contain Buffalo's explosive offense.
Prediction
Buffalo came out flat against the lesser-talented Duquesne team and barely escaped at home. Army has had an extra week to prepare for the Bulls and are still fresh from not playing in Week 1. With all the talent returning on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Army should be able start the Monken era with a win.
Army 28, Buffalo 17