Our Army vs. Navy keys to game are all set to go here at Bankroll Sports, as the Navy Midshipmen look for their 10th straight victory over the Army Black Knights. Will they get it? Check out our Army vs. Navy analysis and get our college football predictions for the game!

Army/Navy Game: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen
Army/Navy Game Location: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Army/Navy Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 10th, 2:30 p.m. (ET)
Army/Navy Game Television Schedule: CBS

Key #1: Army has to make a few plays with its passing game
There aren’t all that many teams that see the triple option every single day of the year in practice, but the Middies do, and they know exactly what the Black Knights are trying to do. That being said, QB Trent Steelman, a man who now has a bit of experience in this offense, just has to throw the ball, even just a tad to keep Navy off balance. Army only completed 33 passes all season long, and it is only averaging 48 yards per game through the air, a lot of which came in games in which it was behind. It feels like every year, Army has to throw the ball 10 times in this game, but eight of those 10 passes come in the fourth quarter when the team is trailing. That just can’t be the case this year.

Army/Navy Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Navy Midshipmen -7
Army Black Knights +7
Over/Under 58
Click Here to Bet on Your Army/Navy Game Picks!

Key #2: Navy must figure out how to close out a close game
The poor Middies this year aren’t going bowling because of how many times they were beaten in close games. Of their seven losses, only two came by more than one score, and there were some brutal losses in there. After coming back from a late two-TD deficit against Air Force, it was a missed extra point in overtime that cost Navy the game. With less than two minutes left against East Carolina, the Pirates scored to take a game that the Midshipmen seemingly had away from them. And, that doesn’t include all of the other games that finished with margins of defeat of three points or fewer, notably the 24-21 loss at the then-undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks.

Key #3: Army has to take advantage of Navy mistakes
The Midshipmen have made their mistakes against Army over the course of the last two games in this series. They have put the ball on the turf a total of six times, losing five of the six fumbles, and Army just hasn’t been able to get the job done off of those turnovers. Meanwhile, last year’s game turned on a 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown for Navy, one which took a 17-7 game that probably was about to become a 17-14 game, and turned it into a runaway for the Middies that the Black Knights never recovered from. If the Black Knights are breaking this nine game losing streak against Navy, they have to take advantage of the opportunities that the Middies are giving them.

Click Here to get the best college football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our Army/Navy Game picks and the NCAA football picks for the rest of the games on the Week 15 slate.

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The Poinsettia Bowl kicks off on Thursday night at Qualcomm Stadium, as the Navy Midshipmen take on the hometown team, the San Diego State Aztecs in college football betting action. We here at Bankroll Sports are trying to make your Poinsettia Bowl picks easy, and we have the three keys to the game that are going to need to be addressed to determine who the winner of the duel in San Diego is going to be.

Key #1: The Middies need to add some wrinkles to the triple option
We see this same sort of thing every single bowl season. Teams that run gimmick offenses tend to struggle in bowl games, particularly later in the season because opponents have extra time to prepare. There really isn’t all that much that you can do with the triple option offense that opponents don’t see on a regular basis, but it will be up to the Middies to find something different in order to trick the Aztecs. This SDSU defense only saw the triple option once this year, and it allowed 25 points to the Air Force Falcons on the road in a narrow escape at home on October 16th. This was a team that only allowed 135.0 yards per game this year against opposing rushing games, one of the better marks in the Mountain West. Give the Midshipmen some credit, as they averaged 289.6 yards per game this year on the ground. QB Ricky Dobbs is probably the best man to run the triple option in the entire country, and when he gets things going, he and his teammates are very, very hard to stop. This Navy offense put at least 31 on the board in each of its last six games of the year and averaged 41.0 points per game in that stretch.

Key #2: The Navy secondary has to contain the threesome in the San Diego State passing game
San Diego State did have about a 50/50 split in terms of runs and passes this year, but QB Ryan Lindley is one of the better quarterbacks that the Mountain West has to offer. Head Coach Brady Hoke really made him a star this year, as Lindley threw for 3,554 yards and 26 TDs against 14 picks. However, he also had two fantastic options in the passing game in the forms of WR DeMarco Sampson and WR Vincent Brown. These two combined for 123 catches and 17 scores. Sampson had 1,175 yards, while Brown had 1,127 yards, making them two of the top receivers in the entire country. High powered offenses tended to be stopped by the Navy defense though, as the worst case saw the East Carolina Pirates scoring 35 points against the Middies. However, they did score 76 that day and ECU had to play catch up the entire time. If Lindley, Sampson, and Brown get going though, this is going to be a long, long day for the Navy defense.

Key #3: Ronnie Hillman will be the make or break person in the SDSU lineup
Hit or miss. That’s what it seems that Hillman is for the Aztecs this year. The freshman had a fantastic first season, putting together a year that really resembled that of South Carolina’s great RB Marcus Lattimore. Hillman ran for 1,304 yards and 14 TDs. He had five games with at least 150 yards on the ground this year, but he also had six games with 65 yards or fewer. Only one game, an 89 yard performance against the Utah State Aggies was sort of in the middle. Three of those games at 65 yards or fewer resulted in the team’s losses. The biggest game of the year was a 228 yard performance against the Missouri Tigers, a game which the Aztecs really should have had won. Navy’s defense did play against a few offenses this year that really had no passing games whatsoever that just tried to move the ball on the ground, but averaging 150.8 yards per game on the ground allowed was nothing special. The Middies allowed 371.2 yards per game overall, but they are going to have to stuff up Hillman and stop him from running wild, or they’re going to have absolutely no chance of beating the Poinsettia Bowl odds.

They are the teams who upset your favorites. They are the underdogs you root for or hate every year. They can win you big money, or they can bust you out with their upset victories. Their dream? Making a BCS bowl game. These are the top ten non-BCS schools, or mid-majors, if you prefer.

#1 Boise State Broncos: We all know the Broncos. Since 2006, the blue turf bandits have made off with victories over Oregon State, Oregon, Utah, and TCU. Let’s not forget the Statue of Liberty play to defeat Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. Since that undefeated year, the Broncos have four total losses. Last year’s team saw QB Kellen Moore throw for 39 touchdowns to just three picks. Wide receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis combined to catch 142 balls for 1,896 yards and 24 touchdowns, while running backs Jeremy Avery and Doug Martin averaged 5.5 yards and 6.0 yards per carry, respectively. The two combined for 21 scores. Last season’s top-ranked scoring offense retains all of these leaders, so matching last year’s 450.8 yards and 42.2 points per game is doable. The defense retains star cornerback Brandyn Thompson, who intercepted five balls in 2009. Most of the defense from last year was made up of freshmen and sophomores, so this unit is only going to improve. This season, the Broncos open with Virginia Tech, a school that has struggled in early-season games as of late. With a win, the Broncos would be set to not just make a BCS bowl, but be the first non-BCS school to reach the National Championship game.

Key non-conference games: Virginia Tech (N), Oregon State
Key conference games: @ Nevada, @ Idaho

#2 TCU Horned Frogs: Since 2005, the Horned Frogs have taken out Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Stanford, Utah, BYU, Boise State, Virginia, and Clemson. Last year’s impressive squad, led by quarterback Andy Dalton, averaged 456.7 yards and 38.3 points per game. Dalton threw for 2,756 yards, 23 scores, and eight interceptions. This year, he will be throwing to a trio of seniors in Jeremy Kerley, Jimmy Young, and Bart Johnson, who combined for 110 receptions and seven scores in 2009. Running back Matthew Tucker averaged 6.4 yards per carry last year, scoring eight times. He will be the primary running back with the loss of Joseph Turner. A defense that gave up just 239.7 yards and 12.8 points per game retains the majority of its starters, though both Jerry Hughes and Darryl Washington are now in the NFL. Like Boise State, the Frogs have several freshmen and sophomores returning with great experience. They will have their chance to make another statement with a week one game against Oregon State.

Key non-conference game: Oregon State (N)
Key conference games: BYU, @ Utah

#3 Navy Midshipmen: Navy sails into 2010 coming off a ten win season, including victories over both of the other service academies. The Middies lost three games by seven points or less. With the return of quarterback Ricky Dobbs and another year of the famed spread-option offense, Navy is looking for another great season. Dobbs threw just 105 passes in 2009, completing 56 of them for 1,031 yards, six touchdowns and three picks. Of course, on the ground, he ran 315 times for 1,203 yards and a whopping 27 tuddies. Joining him in the unique offensive attack are fullback Vince Murray and a host of young, but talented slot-backs ready to replace Marcus Curry. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 182 touches, scoring six times. However, Curry was dismissed from the team in May after violating team rules and failing a drug test in January. Eager to step up are backs Gee Gee Greene, Alex Teich, and Aaron Santiago. Greene averaged 6.2 yards per rush last year, while returning 33 kickoffs for 607 yards. Teich contributed 376 yards on 70 carries. On defense, Navy will be led once again by DE Jabaree Tuani and safety Wyatt Middleton. They will have to re-tool at linebacker however, as the three starters are gone. Tyler Simmons will be heavily relied upon to lead the new group. Navy has a favorable schedule, so another ten win season is looking likely.

Key games: @ Air Force, Notre Dame(N), @ East Carolina

#4 Houston Cougars: There is a significant drop-off after Boise State and TCU, but Houston took out Texas Tech, Mississippi State and Oklahoma State last season. The Cougars feature a high-powered offense and the nation’s statistically leading quarterback in Case Keenum. Keenum completed 492 of 700 balls last year for 5,671 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 15 picks. The team returns three 1,000 yard receivers in James Cleveland, Tyron Carrier, and Patrick Edwards. The three combined for 27 touchdowns, all averaging at least 11.3 yards per catch. Clearly, there is not much use of the running game, but if needed, the Cougars have two running backs in Charles Sims and Bryce Beall, who are capable. Sims averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored nine times, while Beall gained 670 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Don’t look for the 108th ranked defense to improve much, however. Last year’s unit gave up 451.3 yards and 30.1 points per game. Senior cornerback Jamal Robinson intercepted five balls a year ago and will lead a defense that is extremely young. Houston will be in the spotlight in its final game of the year at Texas Tech.

Key non-conference games: @ UCLA, Mississippi State, @ Texas Tech
Key conference games: @ SMU, UCF, Tulsa

#5 Temple Owls: You’re asking yourself: “How did Temple get on any top ten lists, other than maybe the worst schools ever?” Well, my friend, Temple has turned it around, at least for a little while. Yes, it lost to Villanova in week one of the 2009 campaign, but then again, Villanova won the FCS championship. The Owls put together a nine game win streak, finishing the regular season at 9-3 before losing by nine to UCLA in their first bowl appearance since 1979. Vaughn Charlton returns as the quarterback for 2010, but last year was not impressive; he completed 107 of 213 passes for 1,390 yards, ten scores, and 11 picks. This will obviously have to improve. The wide receiving corps is deep, with only two players getting more than 20 catches. Five receivers caught at least two touchdowns, but none caught more than three. The ground game is the real excitement for the Owls, with star running back Bernard Pierce. Last season, Pierce carried 236 times for 1,361 yards and 16 touchdowns. Matt Brown also ran for 529 yards and five scores on 89 carries. On defense, the Owls should again be strong against the run, with an experienced and large line and senior linebackers Elijah Joseph and Amara Kamara leading the way. However, opposing quarterbacks racked up 226.4 yards per game, blasting through the Owls’ secondary. The schedule is no cakewalk, with the first four games against Villanova, Central Michigan, Connecticut, and Penn State. However, Temple could easily get another 9-3 season and MAC title game appearance.

Key non-conference games: Connecticut, @ Penn State
Key conference games: Central Michigan, @ Northern Illinois, Ohio

#6 Nevada Wolfpack: The Wolfpack quietly had a 7-1 conference record and the best rushing offense in the nation a year ago. After getting stomped by Notre Dame, Colorado State, and Missouri, the team went on an eight game win streak, before losing its final regular season game and a bowl bid against SMU. Returning this year is quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who completed 166 of 282 throws for 2,052 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six picks. He was the top dual threat in the nation, adding 7.3 yards per rush on 161 carries, scoring 16 times. Rejoining last year’s number one ranked ground game is Vai Taua, who averaged 7.8 yards and scored ten times on 172 carries. The team loses its third 1,000 yard rusher in Luke Lippincott, but there is plenty of depth in Mike Ball and Mark Lampford. At wide receiver, the team returns Brandon Wimberly, Tray Session, and Chris Wellington. The three combined for just nine touchdowns in the nation’s 107th ranked passing offense. The Wolfpack will need to improve their passing offense to keep up their winning ways. Last year’s unit gave up a second to last ranked 297.8 yards per game through the air. In the team’s five losses, the opposition scored at least 31 points. The line and linebacking core losses are minimal, and the only way to go is up for the secondary. The conference road schedule is terribly brutal, however.

Key non-conference games: California
Key conference games: @ BYU, @ Idaho, Boise State

#7 Utah Utes: The Utes are looking tough once again for 2010. They have some holes to fill on defense, but with BYU losing Max Hall and other staples, Utah is primed to be right there with TCU. The offense will be led by sophomore QB Jordan Wynn, who threw for 1,329 yards, eight scores, and four picks in a half season’s work after replacing junior Terrance Cain. The team loses a 1,000 yard wide receiver in David Reed, but retains Jereme Brooks, who led all receivers with seven scores. Sophomore Luke Williams will be the second throwing option for Wynn, having caught just nine passes last year. The rushing attack will be led by Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata. Asiata tore his ACL early last season and was granted an extra year of eligibility. Wide emerged as a more than capable replacement, racing for 1,070 yards and 12 touchdowns on 202 carries. On defense, only five starters return. Last year’s unit allowed just 176.2 passing yards and 20.2 points per game. The biggest hit comes at linebacker, with all three starters now gone. However, junior J.J. Williams is expected to lead a young group. The schedule isn’t easy, but Utah does get most of the big games at home, including Pittsburgh, TCU, and BYU.

Key non-conference games: Pittsburgh, @ Notre Dame
Key conference games: @ Air Force, TCU, BYU

#8 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders: MTSU isn’t exactly one of the most talked about mid majors, but last year it showed it really does have a capable football program. The Raiders finished behind Troy for the Sun Belt title, but won ten games, including a bowl victory over Southern Miss. Now, it might just be MTSU’s year to win the Sun Belt. The offense will be led by a great dual threat in Dwight Dasher. He led his team with 1,154 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, while throwing for 2,789 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. At wide receiver, the team loses Chris McClover and Patrick Honeycutt, who combined for 961 yards and nine scores. Remaining are Garrett Andrews and Shane Blissard. The two only combined for 19 catches last year, though. This year’s defensive unit also has some strength. DE Jamari Lattimore returns, having racked up 5.5 sacks. Safety Jeremy Kellem has been named the Sun Belt preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The Blue Raiders will have their first statement game opportunity in week one, when the Minnesota Golden Gophers come to Tennessee.

Key non-conference games: Minnesota, @ Georgia Tech
Key conference games: @ Louisiana-Lafayette, Troy

#9 Northern Illinois Huskies: The Huskies are again on the rise, with back-to-back bowl appearances and an impressive win at Purdue last season. Now, they return several key starters and look to appear in the MAC Championship game with Temple. The offense will once again feature a strong running game, with senior Chad Spann. Last season, Spann gained 1,038 yards and scored 19 times on 179 carries. Fellow running back Me’Co Brown has left the program, so JUCO transfer Jasmin Hopkins will see action early. Chandler Harnish will again be the quarterback and will try to improve on a mediocre performance, throwing for 1,670 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions last season. The 109th ranked passing offense will be searching for a top wide receiver, as only two caught more than one touchdown. Landon Cox appears to be the man, leading last year’s squad with 535 yards and four scores on 45 receptions. Defensively, the Huskies should be set. Nine starters are returning, but will need to improve on last year’s measly four total interceptions. Last year’s unit also allowed opponents to convert 41.2% of the time on third down, but did sack the quarterback 29 times. Where it really counts, the Huskies only surrendered 21.2 points per game. This season, the Huskies will face a brutal schedule, with four of the first five on the road. However, with the departure of Dan LaFevour at Central Michigan, the MAC West is NIU’s to lose.

Key non-conference games: @ Iowa State, @ Minnesota
Key conference game: Temple

#10: Central Florida Knights: The Knights are going to be a power in Conference USA’s East Division. The story here is the defense, which allowed just 84.7 rushing yards per game last season. Seven starters are returning, including DE Bruce Miller, who was responsible for 16 sacks in 2009. At cornerback, sophomore Josh Robinson will make another impact, intercepting six passes in his freshman debut. A unit that a year ago allowed just 22.5 points per game has nowhere to go but up. The offense is a different story, with junior Rob Calabrese stepping in at quarterback. He threw for three scores and no interceptions in limited action in 2009. Leading running back Brynn Harvey should be back from knee surgery in time for the season opener. On the plus side, the offense returns four starting linemen and its top receiver in Kamar Aiken, who scored nine times and averaged 16.9 yards per catch last year. The Knights have an excellent chance to make the C-USA title game, led by their lights-out defense.

Key non-conference games: North Carolina State, @ Kansas State
Key conference game: @ Houston