It’s time again for the annual tradition and pageantry of two teams who have no business, along with their fellow service academy Air Force, of being in NCAA Division I-FBS. Yes, it’s the yearly Army vs Navy game and neither team enters this one with a winning record.
But they would have if they’d play at the FCS level where they belong. The first thing I did, with every single NCAA Football video game I ever bought, was replace the service academies with FCS teams I liked. Specifically, clubs like the Rhode Island Rams, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. ETSU will probably work its way in there the next time. Either way, move these teams down a level, NCAA. Please. And, yes, I know Air Force consistently gets ranked and that’s ridiculous too.
This is officially the 124th all-time meeting between Army and Navy, with Navy holding a 62-54-7 advantage in the series. Last year Army won 20-17 in double overtime with the two teams combining for a total of three completed passes. Two came from Cade Ballard, a kid I covered when he played at Greeneville High School in Greeneville, Tenn. He could certainly throw it better back then, let me tell you.
ARMY AT NAVY (+2.5, O/U: 27.5)
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Broadcast: CBS
Kickoff: Dec. 9, 3 p.m.
ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS (5-6)
The Black Knights roll into this game on a three-game winning streak, including a 23-3 win over Air Force to open it back in November that knocked the Falcons out of the Top 25 for good (they had no business being in there in the first place) and started a four-game losing streak for that particular service academy. Two weeks ago, it was Coastal Carolina that took the walk of shame, losing 28-21 to an Army team that did not complete a single pass and only attempted two, with one of them getting picked off. This should not work at any level of American football, but it did. Tyson Riley rushed 12 times for 112 yards and a touchdown. Bryson Daily had 22 carries for 94 yards and a score and Ay’Juan Marshall toted the rock seven times for 64 yards and a TD. The defense picked off Jarrett Guest once.
NAVY MIDSHIPMEN (5-6)
Playing a real team like SMU a fortnight ago spelled doom for the Midshipmen as they lost 59-14 to the Mustangs. Braxton Woodson did manage to complete 50 percent of his passes, going 9 of 18 for 71 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He also led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 104 yards and a TD.
THE PICK
When watching this game, it’s important to realize that back, 70-80 years ago, this is what all football looked like and that’s probably the reason that baseball was everyone’s favorite sport back then. The Black Knights have won three consecutive, but the Midshipmen won two of their last three. The difference could be the aforementioned Air Force matchup. The Falcons beat Navy but lost to Army. That tells me probably more than I need to know. This game will be ugly enough to show up under my “most compatible” on Hinge, but it’s literally the only game in town Saturday. Army 17, Navy 14
Last week
Straight up: 5-5
Against the spread: 7-3
Season
Straight up: 23-31
Against the spread: 24-30
Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.
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