| Navy heads into the 2010 season with a ton of | | | | Navy really played well on the defensive side of |
| confidence, as they finished up the 2009 season | | | | the ball last season, as they allowed just over 19 |
| at 10-4, including an impressive 35-13 win over | | | | points a game, and when you run the ball as |
| Missouri to close out the season in the Texas | | | | much as the Midshipmen do, it really makes it |
| Bowl. This year the Midshipmen will have 13 | | | | tough for opposing teams to comeback when |
| starters back and a pretty favorable schedule to | | | | they grab the lead early. |
| reach double digit wins again in 2010. Here is a | | | | Navy runs the 3-4 scheme on defense, and |
| quick breakdown of what the Midshipmen will send | | | | should be pretty solid up front with senior nose |
| to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my | | | | tackle Chase Burge and junior defensive end |
| prediction for how they will do this season. | | | | Jabaree Tuani back. Senior Billy Yarborough is |
| Offense: | | | | expected to take over at the other defensive |
| If you know anything about Navy's offense, you | | | | end spot, and it will be important that he can |
| know they will rarely throw the football, as the | | | | come in and do his job and eat up blocks for the |
| pound the football at opposing defenses with the | | | | linebackers to go to work. |
| triple-option attack. The thing is senior quarterback | | | | The Midshipmen have to make a lot of changes |
| Ricky Dobbs can throw the football when needed, | | | | at linebacker this season, as they lose all four |
| as he completed 53% percent of his passes for | | | | starters from last year. Senior Tyler Simmons |
| 1,031 yards with six touchdowns. Dobbs however | | | | and junior Caleb King are the leading candidates to |
| will do the majority of his damage running the ball, | | | | take over at the two inside spots, while junior |
| as he led the Midshipmen with 1,203 yards and 27 | | | | Aaron McCauley and senior Jerry Bauburger are |
| touchdowns. No question Dobbs will head into the | | | | set to step in and start at the two outside spots. |
| season as a legit Heisman candidate. | | | | If the new starters struggle to find their place in |
| The Midshipmen also have a couple of pretty | | | | the defense, the Midshipmen could see a big drop |
| good running backs this season in senior Vince | | | | off on this side of the ball. |
| Murray and junior Marcus Curry. Murray finished | | | | Navy brings back a lot of experience in the |
| second on the team with 971 yards and six | | | | secondary this season, as they have three |
| touchdowns, while Curry finished with 585 yards | | | | starters back from the 2009 campaign. Senior |
| and five scores. You can pretty much expect | | | | free safety Wyatt Middleton and senior strong |
| similar or even better numbers from these two in | | | | safety Emmett merchant are both back, and |
| 2010. | | | | should keep opposing teams from attacking the |
| Not a lot to talk about at receiver, as the | | | | Midshipmen deep. At corner look for junior Kewsi |
| Midshipmen just don't throw the ball that often. | | | | Mitchell to step in and take over the open starting |
| Curry was the leading receiver for Navy in 2009 | | | | spot opposite of returning starter Kevin Edwards. |
| with just 10 catches for 287 yards and three | | | | Prediction - 11-2: No question the offense is going |
| touchdowns. | | | | to be able to run the ball, but I have some |
| The offensive line will be solid as the Midshipmen | | | | concerns with the defense and all the new |
| bring back both starting tackels in Jeff Battipaglia | | | | starters at linebacker. The good thing is the |
| and Matt Molloy. Also back in the mix is junior | | | | Midshipmen have a very easy schedule this |
| right guard Brady DeMell. That leaves two open | | | | season, as their only real challenge comes against |
| spots up front, and it looks like it will be junior Eric | | | | Notre Dame on Oct. 23. Right now I have Navy |
| Douglass at center and sophomore Josh Cabral at | | | | slipping to Notre Dame and one other team, but |
| left guard. | | | | there is a legit shot that this team can go |
| Defense: | | | | undefeated and play in a BCS bowl this season. |
