NAVY KEY: Win the turnover battle
Games between these two service academies always tend to be close and relatively low-scoring and turnovers have often turned the tide. Last year, Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds committed a turnover in his own territory that led to points for Air Force and threw an interception in the end zone that spoiled an important scoring opportunity. Those two turnovers loomed large as the Midshipmen lost, 30-21. "We anticipate it being a short game. There have been times when we played Air Force and both teams got eight possessions. Mistakes get magnified when plays are at a premium," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said.