By Matt Josephs for Steve Merril Sports

The Naval Academy’s future this season has already been determined as they are penciled in for the Eagle Bank Bowl against an ACC team on December 20th. Still, do they deserve to play in a better bowl? Are they for real?

Navy has tested themselves this season against some quality opponents and the Midshipmen have passed a few of those tests. They are 1-1 SU against the ACC having beaten Wake Forest and losing to Duke on the road. Navy has also defeated solid Rutgers and Air Force squads this year. The Midshipmen defeated Temple on an improbable comeback in overtime, and then came up just a bit short in a failed comeback attempt against Notre Dame, 27-21.

Navy currently ranks 2nd in total rushing offense in the nation behind Nevada as the Midshipmen average 295 yards on the ground and 5.3 yards per carry (versus opponents that allow just 191 yards and 4.8 ypr). Navy rushes the ball for 81% of their total offensive yards and 87% of their offensive plays with only 7 pass attempts per game.

They have a host of backs who get the ball. The leading rusher is Shun White who has 873 yards this season and a fantastic 8.4 yards per rush average. He was the hot topic early this season after his three touchdowns and 348 yard rushing yards versus Towson in the season opener. Also carrying the rock is Eric Kettani who is second on the team with 71.5 yards per game which ranks 59th overall in the nation.

It has been a revolving door at quarterback with Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada not playing much this year. This has forced Navy to go to the bench for Jarod Bryant and now Ricky Dobbs who is expected to start versus Northern Illinois. Each quarterback has had their shining moments this season, even if it’s just handing the ball off and playing ball control offense.

Defensively, Navy has been decent against the run, but horrendous versus the pass. Navy is ranked 107th in the pass efficiency defensive categories and they have regularly been beaten through the air this season. Navy does not pressure the quarterback and their defense has allowed 66.6% completions and 8.3 yards per pass this season (versus opponents that average just 59.8% and 7.2 ypp).

Navy has two games left in the regular season which includes a Tuesday night trip to Northern Illinois and then the season finale versus Army. If the Midshipmen can win out this season, they might garner a better bowl bid. Their running game is potent this season, but Navy is not for real as their pass defense (ranked 107th) and their poor kick return unit (ranked 111th) remain as major weaknesses.

Matt Josephs is a producer for ESPN Radio in Richmond Virginia. He loves the home underdog and the Temple Owls.

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