{"id":588623,"date":"2025-12-10T03:51:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T03:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/588623\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T03:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T03:51:16","slug":"ftrs-picks-2025-army-v-navy-bowl-season-part-1-a-matter-of-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/588623\/","title":{"rendered":"FTRS Picks 2025 Army v Navy \/ Bowl Season Part 1: A Matter of Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pick results summary here<\/a>. Last week we had a 2 way tie at the top spot with 7 out of 9 correct picks. One of those pickers was me, so I\u2019ll give myself a pat on the back, but the other was BearJacket who deserves a round of applause! Good job BearJacket. While there is technically one last pick in the regular season we can officially name at least one champion. donkeygoatrunner has been in the lead all year and now officially has 112 correct picks with a pick percentage of 58.03% making him (or her, I\u2019m not sure) the top picker of the year. While Gtbadcarma can still technically tie donkeygoatrunner, there is no way for donkeygoatrunner to lose the top spot. Gtbadcarma currently sits in the second spot with 11 correct picks while I am locked in the third spot with 108 correct picks. BearJacket is currently in 4th with 106 correct picks, and could be in 3rd if things end in a tie at the top. It was a good season as far as picks go for everyone. Things also reset this week as we start the bowl season, so I will have a separate tally for the upcoming bowl games. We are starting from 0 so be sure to make your picks and see if you can beat any of our top pickers in your knowledge of bowl games this year. <\/p>\n

\"Miami<\/a><\/p>\n

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal celebrates after his team defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their NCAA football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Matias J. Ocner\/Miami Herald\/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

College football is a subjective sport. It\u2019s what fans love and hate about the sport. Everyone has their own opinion of what wins mean more, which ranking system is better, and ultimately which teams should be considered the best. Personally, I don\u2019t think it matters if the playoff is between 2 teams, 4 teams, 12 teams, 16 teams, or 24 + teams; people are always going to be upset about which teams got in and which teams didn\u2019t and that\u2019s ok.<\/p>\n

\"STANFORD,<\/a><\/p>\n

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on during warm ups before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

In my opinion Miami and Bama should not have been in the playoff. For Bama its more about how they\u2019ve looked down the stretch. The Tide struggled to beat Auburn and got blown out by the team in Athens, I\u2019m not convinced they\u2019ll be able to compete with anyone in the playoff based on how they\u2019ve played their past few games. The Tide offense isn\u2019t clicking like it was through the middle of the year, and their defense looks as uninspiring as it has all year. Nothing I have seen from Alabama makes me think they stand a chance against anyone else in the playoffs, with the possible exception of JMU.<\/p>\n

I do think Miami can compete in the playoffs. The reason I don\u2019t think Miami should be in the playoff (other than to punish the ACC for their moronic tie breaker policies) is because of who they\u2019ve lost to. Notre Dame lost to ranked Miami and Texas A&M teams. You know who Notre Dame didn\u2019t lose to? unranked Louisville and SMU. I said at the start of the season that Miami was the one team in the ACC that might benefit from not playing in the ACC Championship because of their nature to choke and of the perception of the program as one of the best even when they drop 2 games they shouldn\u2019t every year. Turns out that came to fruition in one of the most controversial ways possible. I don\u2019t think Miami deserved this spot, but apparently the committee disagreed.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let those opinions fool you, I don\u2019t think Notre Dame should be in either. The Irish win 1 good game against USC, lose their other top games against Miami and Texas A&M, and expect to be rewarded for scheduling a bunch of cupcakes that they beat by 30 points. Sure we can talk about teams in the ACC having weak schedules in general, but who was their toughest opponent outside of Miami, Texas A&M, and USC? NC State or Navy right? We can all see Notre Dame are a talented team but maybe play some tougher teams on a consistent basis to actually prove you can win more than one big game.<\/p>\n

Frankly if I had my way Vandy should have been in the playoff. They were exciting to watch all season and played competitively all year, why shouldn\u2019t they deserve as much consideration as Alabama? At least the Commodores don\u2019t get upset about playing a bowl game. Notre Dame throwing a tantrum works out for Georgia Tech in the short term since we now get to play in the Pop Tart Bowl, so thanks for that.<\/p>\n

I hate that we feel things need fixing in this perfectly imperfect system of college football. I like the debates, and I like the emotions behind snubs, and I like knowing that a G5 team can go 12-1 and have a chance at the Cinderella championship run even if no one else thinks they have a shot. I love this sport. I know things are going to change because of the committee\u2019s decision this week I don\u2019t think this is anything should. That\u2019s just my perspective, for what it\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n

On to picks, this week since bowl games start at the same time as Army v Navy (which is a darn shame) we are splitting picks. Our last regular season pick for Army v Navy will be in one table and our first few set of bowl games will be in another. As noted above Bowl Picks are starting back at 0 so be sure to make your picks and don\u2019t forget to stop by the site to keep making them as December rolls on.<\/p>\n

Army Black Knights v Navy Midshipmen (-5.5) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland<\/p>\n

Logan: I love Army v Navy every year. I never served but you can tell this game means a lot to our servicemen and it just feels special to watch. In terms of the game itself, Navy obviously has the better record. Navy only lost to
Notre Dame and North Texas. Navy has been very efficient on offense and it has been what has led them to victory in most games. Army has not been as consistent so they have relied on their defense to keep them in close games. There is going to be some light snow in Baltimore Friday and Sunday, but not on Saturday (based on current projections). If it snows I think things could tip in favor of Army\u2019s offense, but otherwise I think Navy will run the ball all over them. At the moment I will take Navy.<\/p>\n

Cricket Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State Bulldogs v Prairie View A&M Panthers (No Spread Given)<\/p>\n

Logan: I couldn\u2019t find a spread on this game on ESPN so it is a straight pick \u2018em. This is the MEAC v SWAC bowl for the HBCU title this year (not sure if that\u2019s actually a thing, but that\u2019s how I think of it). I don\u2019t know much about either of these teams, it seems like Prairie View has a better run game but struggles with turnovers while South Carolina State has relied on their defense in the games they have won. I think I like South Carolina State since they have only really struggled against teams at the FBS level.<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s pick: South Carolina State<\/p>\n

Bucked Up LA Bowl: Boise State Broncos v Washington Huskies (-8.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: When I see big spreads I tend to lean Boise State. Boise State has a tendency of pulling big upsets, especially in bowl games.<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s pick: Boise State<\/p>\n

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy Trojans (-3.5) v Jacksonville State Gamecocks<\/p>\n

Logan: Both teams are coming off tough losses in their conference championship games. Arguably it was a tougher loss for Jacksonville State as they actually had a chance to win their game. This will be the last hurrah for both teams, I feel like Jacksonville State may feel they have something to prove after coming up short last week. I\u2019ll take the Gamecocks<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s pick: Jacksonville State<\/p>\n

Staff DNA Cure Bowl: Old Dominion Monarchs v South Florida Bulls (-6.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: I feel that USF. Start the season so hot only to fall to 9-3 and miss out on your conference championship. USF I am in solidarity with you. The Bulls are the better team and they should win this one pretty handily.<\/p>\n

68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (-2.5) v Delaware Blue Hens<\/p>\n

Logan: I\u2019m just so happy that Delaware even made it to this game. Low key the Blue Hens have had a fantastic season and regardless of how they made it they are now in a bowl game. I\u2019m picking Delaware because of how hyped I am for them.<\/p>\n

Xbox Bowl: Missouri State Bears v Arkansas State Red Wolves (-2.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: A feature of early bowl season is that there are many teams that I know absolutely nothing about. This game seems about even with Missouri possibly having a slight edge in the running game. I guess I\u2019ll take Missouri State<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s pick: Missouri State<\/p>\n

Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State Owls v Western Michigan Broncos (-3.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: Mostly emotion based picking from me in the first week of bowl season. The Owls have been on a magical journey this year and they don\u2019t have to travel too far for this game. I\u2019m hoping Kennesaw State ends the year on another high note, so I\u2019m picking the Owls.<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s pick: Kennesaw State<\/p>\n

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: NC State Wolfpack (-5.5) v Memphis Tigers<\/p>\n

Logan: Does CJ Bailey play? That\u2019s the real question here. I think this game could be a fun shootout to watch, assuming CJ Bailey actually shows up. Without him, I don\u2019t know how NC State will perform offensively. Dave Doeren is 0-5 in his last 5 bowl game matchups, I guess I\u2019ll go with history and expect Memphis to at least cover.<\/p>\n

CFP First Round: #9 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #8 Oklahoma Sooners (-1.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: I covered what I think of Bama in the intro, I have no reason to believe Oklahoma will lose this game at home in what is essentially a pick \u2019em game.<\/p>\n

CFP First Round: #10 Miami Hurricanes @ #7 Texas A&M Aggies (-3.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: A&M is a hard environment to play at, but I think Miami has a good chance to win this one. As much as Miami tends to choke against lesser teams, the Canes tend to play like champions against ranked teams. Carson Beck has a tendency to either throw no interceptions or to throw multiple in a game. If Carson Beck avoids turning the ball over then Miami will win this game.<\/p>\n

CFP First Round: #11 Tulane Green Wave @ #6 Ole Miss Rebels (-17.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: Tulane got blown out by over 30 points in the last matchup against Ole Miss at home. This time the Green Wave go on the road to face down the Rebels. Ole Miss has a lot going on internally, I\u2019m not sure hiring LSU coaches is the best way to fix your offense now that Lane is gone. Tulane is also going through changes, but at least their head coach is sticking with them for the game. Who knows, maybe that gives Tulane some extra motivation here. I don\u2019t love this pick but I think Tulane can cover in this game. Don\u2019t know if they actually will cover but I\u2019m willing to take a flyer on it.<\/p>\n

CFP First Round: #12 James Madison Dukes @ #5 Oregon Ducks (-21.5)<\/p>\n

Logan: I like Tulane, but I have no such confidence in the Dukes. Unfortunately JMU just hasn\u2019t played anyone other than Louisville and they lost that game. I don\u2019t see how the Dukes can possibly go toe to toe with the Ducks. I\u2019m rooting for the Dukes to pull off something magical, but I live in reality and my pick reflects that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pick results summary here. Last week we had a 2 way tie at the top spot with 7…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":588624,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,61047,781,7314,49,48],"class_list":{"0":"post-588623","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-ftrs","10":"tag-general","11":"tag-georgia-tech-football","12":"tag-ncaa","13":"tag-ncaa-football"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115693242593064671","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=588623"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588623\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/588624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=588623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=588623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=588623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}