Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) throws before an NCAA football game against the Tulsa … [+]
Since 1930, the Army and Navy football teams have played each other every year. Even as the programs have struggled at times in recent decades, their annual December games routinely draw sell-out crowds and large television audiences. It’s one of the biggest rivalries in college sports and attracts even casual fans.
This year, the teams will play on Dec. 14 at FedEx Field, the Washington Commanders home stadium in suburban Washington, D.C. But for the first time, Army and Navy are part of the same league, with Army joining the American Athletic Conference (AAC) this year and Navy having been in the conference since 2015. By then, one of them could be champions of the AAC, which is holding its title game on Dec. 6.
Army and Navy are both 4-0, the first time they have each won their first four games since 1945. They are two of only 19 Football Bowl Subdivision teams (and the only AAC programs) that remain undefeated. And they are each favored by more than a touchdown on the road this Saturday, with Army traveling to Tulsa (2-3) and Navy heading to the Air Force Academy (1-3).
In fact, it would not be shocking if they play each other in the AAC championship game. Navy is No. 68 and Army is No. 70 among 134 FBS teams, according to ESPN analyst Bill Connelly’s SP+ ranking, which is a respected predictive measure. Memphis (No. 64) is the only AAC program ranked ahead of Army and Navy even though Navy defeated Memphis, 56-44, on Sept. 21. Army and Memphis do not play each other during the regular season.
Army and Navy have potentially bigger stakes, too, as the winner of the AAC championship game could qualify for the College Football Playoff. The top-five ranked conference champions receive an automatic berth in the CFP. The winners of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC are almost certain to get four of those spots, leaving one berth available for another league champion. As of now, James Madison (No. 33 in the SP+), Boise State (No. 37), UNLV (No. 54), Liberty (No. 57), Louisiana (No. 62) and Memphis are the only programs outside of the four power conferences ranked above Army and Navy.
As usual, Army and Navy are primarily running the ball on offense. Army is first among FBS teams with 371.2 rushing yards per game, while Navy is fifth with 287.2 rushing yards per game. Army is 132nd among FBS teams with 73.2 passing yards per game, while Navy is 108th with 178.8 yards per game even though the Midshipmen have attempted only 53 passes, which is the second-fewest in the country behind Army’s 32 attempts.
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath has completed 30 of his 44 pass attempts for seven touchdowns and one interception and gained a team-high 450 rushing yards (9.6 yards per attempt) and eight touchdowns. The Midshipmen are ninth in FBS in scoring (46 points per game) and have outscored their opponents by 22.5 points per game.
Army quarterback Bryson Daily has completed 12 of 25 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns and run for a team-high 492 yards (6 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. The Black Knights are tied with Penn State for 30th in FBS in scoring (36.2 points per game) and sixth in FBS in scoring defense, allowing just 10.5 points per game and not allowing more than 14 points in any game this season.
Since Jeff Monken arrived as Army’s coach in 2014, the Black Knights have had some success, including qualifying for five bowl games and finishing the 2018 season ranked 19th in the AP poll. Navy, meanwhile, finished in the AP top 25 in 2015, 2016 and 2019 under former coach Ken Niumatalolo. But Niumatalolo went just 11-23 in his final three seasons at Navy before Brian Newberry took over as coach last season and led the Midshipmen to a 5-7 record.
Army and Navy each have eight games remaining, including neutral site games against Notre Dame (No. 10 in the SP+ and No. 14 in the Associated Press polls): Navy plays the Fighting Irish on Oct. 26 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Army plays Notre Dame on Nov. 23 at Yankee Stadium.
Besides the ND games, Army and Navy could each be favored in their other seven games. Of course, plenty can happen between now and December, but both programs are on solid footing and in position to accomplish much more as the season progresses.
