As a fan, I'd love to see Army win a conference title in its first season in the AAC, but let's be honest the Black Knights started 9-0 and got ranked against an utterly weak schedule. And I'm not sure that Army isn't looking past this one -- really -- toward the Navy game. Maybe Army covers the 4.5 but win? I don't see it.

Odd as it might seem, this game is less important for one team than next week's. As much as Army would welcome an AAC title, given its druthers, it would prefer a win over Navy. Not that the Black Knights will take this lightly, but the motivational edge should side with Tulane. Additionally, the Green Wave has dealt with an option offense like Army's and pitched a shutout versus Navy. Army appears to have flattened out late in the season, scoring more than 21 points in just one of the past four games. While the Greenies did stumble against Memphis last week, its only other defeats were no-shamers to Oklahoma and Kansas State.

While West Point 2024 is a great storyline, just who Army beat is open to some debate. Also no question the option slowed as the schedule toughened down the stretch, scoring barely 19 pg across the past four after tallying nearly 44 pg in the previous five. Brave QB Bryson Daily has also carried the ball 65 times the past two (vs. Notre Dame and UTSA) and could be excused for wearing down. The Navy grudge match is also still on deck next week for West Point. Yes, the Greenies laid an egg vs. Memphis, but they'd won eight straight prior, blanked a similar Navy option three weeks ago, and Jon Sumrall is still 28-12 vs. the line since 2022 (Troy & Tulane). Play Tulane

I’m going to side with the road favorites here despite their crushing home loss to Memphis last week which knocked them out of the CFP race. Tulane is 5-2 SU / ATS vs. bowl eligible teams while Army is 1-2-1 ATS against the better teams on their schedule. It seems like the Black Knights have benefitted from a weak early-season schedule and were mostly untested until late-October. Both defenses surrender less than 20 points per game and are among the best in the country in turnover margin. But first year Green Wave coach Jon Sumrall knows how to win Conference Championship Games. He was 2-0 at Troy and will keep his undefeated record intact on Friday night. Tulane 27, Army 17.