After the type of season we’ve had in college football this year, we need the Army-Navy game to cleanse our newsfeed.
Enough about NIL, and how its existence in the sport without guardrails has permanently altered the trajectory of the sport. Enough about the head coaching carousel, and how the lack of rules pertaining to it have resulted in the most absurd turnover that we’ve seen in a single calendar year to-date. Enough about the College Football Playoff, and the associated Selection Committee that seems to move the goalposts weekly, not out of spite but because what the competing powers that be are protecting leaves it with little other choice.
And most broadly, enough with the circus that has followed more than one off-the-field related incident this season, relegating the sport to little more than a soap opera with helmets at times.
Back to the game on the gridiron that we love.
Who better to deliver that, than two service academies playing the 126th edition of a rivalry event that, while fierce, in the end with respect from both sides?
Joining me in analyzing the matchup is Captain Sean “Cowboy” Becker from the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.
The 125th edition of the Army-Navy Football Game
Navy vs. Army [game in Baltimore, MD] (Saturday, 3 PM ET – CBS)
Both teams are bowling after this one, but this is without a doubt the game that each team would love to win more than anything else remaining on the schedule. Navy flew under the radar for most of the season, posting a 7-0 start but falling off said radar for the majority of college football fans after once again taking a beating at the hands of Notre Dame. However, the Midshipmen ended the year by beating two very good American Conference opponents in South Florida and Memphis, and missed the conference title game by way of a tiebreaker. Navy can post back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time ever by beating Army. The Black Knights started off poorly, but have stormed back in the second half of the season and thus their 6-5 record isn’t indicative of the type of confidence this team has coming into this one.
While the Army-Navy game requires success in the trenches, it would be unfair to gloss over the fact that Blake Horvath is the most versatile quarterback that either team has had in over a decade. Horvath’s 24 passing touchdowns in his career is the fifth most all-time at Navy, and with a couple more he’ll be tied for third in that category. The threat of the arial attack won’t intimidate Army too much, however, as the Black Knights have done pretty well defending the pass. Rather, Army will look to win the field position battle, limit big plays and hope that keeping things close will allow for anything to happen. Despite the loss to Tarleton State to begin the season, nearly all of the losses by the Black Knights this season have been close. Navy has had more comfortable margins of victory and bigger losses, but it’s hard to imagine this being anything but a hotly contested game. That said, field position, potential turnovers and a big play or two can decide it. Since the first two things are difficult to predict (and frankly, areas where both teams will probably be even), I’ll give the nod to the team with the guy in Horvath who can most easily orchestrate the big play.
My Take: 23-20 Navy (does not cover -6 spread)
Captain Cowboy’s Take: Weather in Baltimore is changing by the hour, but the temps look to be in the single digits or low teens with a potential chance of snow. The cold wet weather always makes for an exciting game, often characterized by a slugfest of ground pounding and short passes. Army and Navy only bested Air Force by 3 points each earlier this year. If that measly margin of victory is any indicator of the type of performances we will see this weekend, it will continue to prove why America loves this rivalry. Navy enters the game with a respectable record this season and led by talented quarterback Blake Horvath. Army, however, must not be dismissed. Of their five losses, four have been by a single touchdown or less and two of those were lost in overtime. The single loss by the Black Knights that was by greater than seven points was back in late September against East Carolina, which finished with an 8-4 record and will ironically play in the Go Bowling Military Bowl. I think we are in for an incredible duel of rival services that will present an entertaining display of sportsmanship and patriotism. As a loyal representative of the Marine Corps and Naval Service, I am predicting that the Naval Academy Midshipmen will overcome the Army Black Knights in a grueling 24-17 victory.
