Army-Navy Open Game Day Thread

It’s Army-Navy (or, Navy-Army if you prefer). To me, this still remains about the purest football game played anywhere. This is the game where you want to “sing second.” I say it every year, and one of these days I’m going to attend. It’s a bucket-list type of thing.

If the West Point seniors can go out with a victory today, they will have never tasted defeat to the Navy Midshipmen as the Cadets are riding a 3-game winning streak over their rivals coming into today’s annual game in Philadelphia (CBS, 3:00 P.M.).

The weather today is a bit raw, with temperatures in the low-to-mid 50’s, with some fog as a light rain has fallen all day with more possible before the game ends. Actually, this is perfect weather for the triple option. Nothing like mud-ball!

Last year, Army stunned the college football world by going 11-2, which featured a 9-game winning streak that culminated in the 3rd-straight victory over Navy and winning the Armed Services Bowl over the Houston Cougars.

This season, Jeff Monken’s Army squad absolutely had the Michigan Wolverines on the ropes before losing in overtime. After starting 3-1, Army’s fortunes faded during the 2019 campaign - going winless in the entire month of October - as they enter today’s match-up at 5-7 and are a 10 ¹⁄₂ point underdog, the over/under at 40.5.

(If’n I were a bettin’ man, I’d take Army and the points. Despite the records, I think it’ll be closer).

One of the cool things about this game recently has been the alternative uniform selections by both institutions. This year is no exception.

Ken Niumatalolo has coached Navy to an 87-53 record in eleven season, and is Navy’s winningest coach. This season, Navy has found their bearings and currently stands at 11-2, quite the turnaround after posting a 3-10 record in 2018. Navy has impressive wins over SMU and Houston.

For the unfamiliar, here are some players to watch.

So, kick back and enjoy this game for all the wonderful things it stands for.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

Go Navy! Beat Army!

And As Always, GO DAWGS!