2008 Navy Midshipmen Football Preview

2008 Navy Midshipmen season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Navy Midshipmen football preview as well as the 2008 Navy Midshipmen Football Schedule. Get Free football predictions against the sportsbooks college football betting line.

Coach: Ken Niumataolo (1st year at Navy)
Team Name: Midshipmen
2007 Overall Record: 8-5
Returning Starters: 13

The Navy Midshipmen (8-5 overall) are one of four major independents in college football. Last season, the Midshipmen played three regular-season overtime games. They won two of those—a double OT against Pittsburgh 48-45 and a triple OT at Notre Dame 46-44. The team went to the Poinsettia Bowl where they met the Utes of Utah. Navy lost that contest 32-35.

The midshipmen have led the nation in rushing three years straight. With the return of QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (98 ATT, 55 COMP, 952 YDS, 8 TDs, 5 INT), slot back Shun White and fullback Eric Kettani (152 CAR, 880 YDS, 10 TDs), the team looks to be first once again. Last season, they averaged 348.8 YPG on the ground and scored a 10th in the nation 39.3 PPG. One problem could be on the O-line, which replaces three starters, including the center. There’s enough on the receiving end to keep opposing defenses honest.

In 2007, Navy’s pass defense was ranked 106th nationally. The secondary sees roving safety Jeff Deliz return after missing last season due to injury. That will help a secondary that also has three starters returning. The linebacking unit is helped by the return of ILB junior Clint Sovie, who is also back after missing 2007 due to an injury. Two of three starters are back up front. That should help create more pressure on opposing QBs.

The Midshipmen could be a nine-win club in 2008. Three tossups are on their schedule. The first two are away games and follow one upon the other. The first swing contest is at Ball State and the second will be played at Duke. On November 15, Notre Dame visits Navy for the final tossup.

Coach Ken Niumatalolo (0-1 one game) starts his first season as a college head coach. He replaces popular coach Paul Johnson, who’s now at Georgia Tech. Niumatalolo inherits a team with talent, the top-rated running game in the country and a triple option offense. Don’t expect Niumatalolo to change the club’s attack very much. An improved defense is essential for Navy to get to the next level.

Read up on the rest of the non BCS ncaa football teams below.