Navy enters the 2010 season under many people’s radars, but let me throw some numbers at you...
Head coach Ken Niumatalolo (18-10 in his career) returns seven starters to an offense that finished 4th in the nation in total rushing. A young defense returns six starters and its entire secondary, to a team that finished 34th last year in total defense.
Navy scored an average of 28 points last season, while only giving up 19 points a game, good enough for 19th in the nation. The reason to this might be because the opposing team hardly got the ball. The Midshipmen had the 2nd best time of possession and a plus 9 turnover margin.
Niumatalolo’s 2009 team finished with a 10-4 record and its seven straight bowl appearance, a 35-13 win over Missouri. Many parts are in place for another run to a post season bowl, but could Navy bust the BCS?
More after the jump..
QB Ricky Dobbs at the Texas Bowl
Star Watch: QB Ricky Dobbs- In the 2009 season, Dobbs broke the NCAA record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, rushing for 27 in one season. Running for 1,192 yards, Dobbs was the key to executing Navy’s triple option offense. In one of his best games, the season opener at Ohio State, Dobbs accumulated 233 yards and two scores, while almost upsetting the powerhouse. Dobbs however, was named the Texas Bowl MVP after his 296 yard total performance in the season ending blowout of Missouri.
One player to Watch: SS Wyatt Middleton- Dobbs is the man on offense, but Middleton is the player on defense. With 68 tackles and 4 interceptions in 2009, Middleton was all over the field, often making plays. Middleton might not be a known name, but the senior safety is the key to the defensive unit.
Must-win game: vs. Notre Dame Oct. 23 (in the Meadowlands, N.J.)- Notre Dame had a 43-game win streak over the Midshipmen, until 2007’s three overtime thriller in which Navy won. How did they follow that up? Well Navy losses again in 2008, but wins in 2009.That makes it two out of three over the Irish, and Navy wants this game bad. Notre Dame is welcoming new head coach Brian Kelley, and no better way to invite him to the rivalry than with a neutral site win. Notre Dame will be talented and throwing the ball all over the field, meaning Middleton and the secondary has to be ready.
Why there ranked 25th: A senior quarterback and a strong secondary, to go along with an easy schedule, have the answers spelled out to be a good year for Navy. Dobbs is a very special player, and the offense revolves around him. Coming off of the blowout win over Missouri in the bowl game, it just goes to show that Navy can compete with the BCS schools. Just think, Missouri had three weeks to prepare for the triple option system, and they gave up five touchdowns. Coach Niumatalolo must be doing something right.
Season Outlook: I have Navy winning at least seven games in; Maryland, Georgia Southern, Louisiana Tech, ECU, Central Michigan, Arkansas State and Army. A tough 5-game stretch in October is where trouble is lying. Navy has to play at Air Force and Wake Forest while also traveling to play Notre Dame in New Jersey. The two home games that month, Southern Methodist and Duke, are no push over’s either, as both teams are talented and up and coming programs. I think Navy can win at Wake and beat Duke at home, giving them a 9-3 overall record and its eighth straight bowl berth.
- Andrew Ivins
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