Army vs. Air Force Prediction & Opening Odds for College Football Week 10

The second leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s series takes place from Falcon Stadium at the USAF Academy, Colo., on Saturday afternoon, and I offer the first of my early picks with my Army vs. Air Force prediction. 

Both Army and Air Force are slight betting favorites based on the opening odds, depending on your sportsbook, for this early noon ET kickoff (CBS). As part of my college football Week 10 predictions, I am bucking several trends on the total between these two service academies.

🏈 Early Army vs. Air Force prediction & betting preview

Stay ahead with the rest of our early college football picks for Week 10.

⬆️  Over 49.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of the most widely recognized trends in college football betting is that games between service academies tend to be low-scoring.

Since 2003, Unders in games involving two service academies are 51-13-3 (79.7%). Oddsmakers know that they have been vulnerable to this trend in the past, which is why those totals have been adjusted accordingly. For example, recent Army-Navy games have kicked off with totals of fewer than 30 points. 

But perhaps this trend of Unders is outdated, given that service academies have adapted their triple-option offense to become more pass-friendly. These teams air it out more than usual, and Army quarterback Cale Hellums has turned in his two highest QBR totals of the season despite his passing attempts increasing for three straight games.

The first Commander-in-Chief’s game this year between Navy and Air Force easily cashed the Over of 49.5 in a 34-31 Navy victory.

With both teams coming off a bye week, I expect new wrinkles from each offense in a game that should once again buck the trend of Unders between these teams.

All of the best sports betting sites are in unison with a total of 49.5 points, juiced to -110 on either side. The -110 odds carry a 52.38% implied probability, and would net $9.09 on a winning $10 wager

📊 Live Army vs. Air Force odds: Week 10

See the latest college football odds for every game in Week 10.

🔢 Army vs. Air Force opening odds

• Moneyline: Army -146 | Air Force +122
• Spread: Army -2.5 (-122) | Air Force +2.5 (+100)
• Over/Under: Over 49.5 (-110) | Under 49.5 (-110)

↔️ Army vs. Air Force line movement

Army was unanimously as high as a 2.5-point favorite on the lookahead line, but is now anywhere from a 1.5-point favorite to a 1.5-point ‘dog. The Black Knights have won the last two meetings between these teams by a combined 43-6, but the fact that they are 1-6 SU in their last seven trips to Colorado Springs should see them kick off as the betting underdog.

The total is the sharper of the two lines, not budging from an opening number of 49.5.

📈 Army vs. Air Force trends & betting notes

• Army and Air Force have combined for 35 or fewer points in eight consecutive meetings
• The Under has cashed in five of Army’s last six games overall, and each of its previous five road games
• Air Force has the fifth-worst scoring defense among FBS teams at 37.3 points per game allowed
• Army’s Cale Hellums is one of four FBS quarterbacks with 10-plus rushing touchdowns

📺 How to watch Army vs. Air Force

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 1
• Kickoff: Noon ET
• Where: Falcon Stadium (USAF Academy, Colo.)
• TV: CBS