In the past, I’ve often had to pen some flowing, flowery writeup to romanticize the Army-Navy game as a throwback to a bygone era of college football, when making more money wasn’t the end goal and helmets were made of leather.
This is primarily because had I (and every other media type) not done so, there would be fear that a lot of casuals just simply wouldn’t care.
And while there will always be that opportunity when writing about this game, the 2024 edition provides an opportunity to put a unique spin on that narrative.
In the age of continued conference realignment, an expanded playoff and NIL deals that are becoming ever more lucrative, the service academy football programs have more or less maintained the same initiative they have always had. That is, to go out and compete at the FBS level with undersized, generally more lightly recruited talent. Such talent still isn’t getting paid.
And yes, most of them are incredibly bright, gifted athletes with more discipline than what you may find from some at the professional level. However, typically that can only take you so far.
The 2024 season has proven to be anything but typical.
Both Army and Navy have spent time ranked in the Top 25 this season, with the Black Knights maintaining a current CFP ranking. Army also enters this game with hardware already added to the trophy case, winning the AAC title outright in its first season as a member of the conference. It is the first time since 2017 that both programs have secured a bid to a postseason bowl game prior to this matchup.
Wasn’t expansion and NIL supposed to kill off these type of programs?
Not so fast, my friend.
The 125th edition of the Army-Navy Football Game
Navy vs. #22 Army [game in Landover, MD] (Saturday, 3 PM ET – CBS)
It didn’t take long in 2023 (half a season) for Army to realize that its bread and butter offesnively is, and always will be, the Midline Option game built from the Flexbone formation. This season the Black Knights have run it to near perfection, averaging nearly 315 yards per game on the ground (best in the country) and even in its only loss, a lopsided defeat to superior Notre Dame, managing to rush for over 200 yards and two scores. Navy’s resurgence is built on a slightly different principle, attacking defenses with an array of option looks but utilizing quarterback Blake Horvath as a passer, by Midshipmen standards, a ton. Horvath’s 118 attempts this season is the most by a Navy quarterback by a long shot since Will Worth’s total in 2016 (117 attempts).
Not surprisingly, Army’s dedication to the run game lends to the offense controlling the pace, and the Black Knights hold on to the ball more than five minutes per game longer than Navy. Given the Black Knights’ strength at stopping the run, the Midshipmen will likely need to get things off the ground in order to keep Army on its toes defensively and keep drives going. I expect Horvath’s arm to have a significant impact on this game. If the junior is on, a little trickery by Navy could go a long way. If not, then Army has proven itself as the better of the two football teams as a whole this season and will be able to strongarm its way to victory. On the ground, of course. Beating the Black Knights has really come down to having significantly more talented personnel in 2024. Navy doesn’t meet that criteria. Either way, these two teams respect the game too much for the result to be anything but a nail biter. I disagree with the two servicemen below me that this game will be less competitive than Vegas suggests.
My Take: 20-17 Army (does not cover -6.5 spread)
Sean’s Take: Army wins 24-9
Grandpa’s Take: Army wins by 10
