Welcome back sports fans to one of the best and most honorable traditions in college football, the annual Army/Navy game. This game is traditionally held after the regular season is over, but before the bowls begin – in part, to make sure the game gets the focus it deserves. The men playing in this game today do not have NIL money. They do not transfer (with very few exceptions). They do not play football because they are the most skilled. They are not recruited in the sense that other schools recruit. After four years, they graduate, are commissioned as officers, and serve a minimum of six years. In addition to rigorous football practices, they adhere to intense schedules and expectations to be the leaders of the mightiest military in the world. These men, along with the Air Force Academy, compete on the gridiron representing a level of sacrifice no other school requires. That makes today’s game worth watching even if both teams were 0-11.
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The United States Military Academy was founded at West Point, which began as a fort during the American Revolution, in 1802. It is the oldest of the five service academies. They played their first football game in 1890 and have lifetime 745-552-51 (.572) record. They have 5 claimed national championships: 1914, 1916, 1944, 1945, and 1946 – they were 9-0 in the first 4 seasons listed and 9-0-1 in 1946. Last year, the joined the American Athletic Conference and immediately won the title finishing 11-2. They were one of the last 4 independent teams (UMASS joined the MAC in 2025 leaving just UCONN and Notre Dame).
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The United States Naval Academy was founded in Annapolis in 1845 and is the second oldest service academy. It is located on the grounds of Fort Severn in Anne Arundel County just 33 miles north of Washington DC. They played their first game in 1879 and amassed a 757-605-57 (.554) record. They claim a single national title in 1926, finishing 9-0-1. They were an independent until 2015 when they joined the American Athletic Conference.
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This year’s game will be the 126th meeting with Navy holding the edge 63-55-7 in a game first played in 1890 (Army’s first season) won by Navy 24-0. They have met annually since 1930. The game is being played this year at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens home stadium, which is across the street from Camden Yards in Baltimore.
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Now that the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen are in the same conference, but their traditional time slot is after the conference championship game, they do not play each other during the regular season. This game is, technically, not a conference game either. Technically, if the two service academies ended first and second, they would play for the AAC championship then play the rivalry game the next weekend. I look forward to that. The other issue with the game being last in the season is bowl selection has already occurred so there is zero impact from this game. Army had a rough season and was sitting at 5-5 late. For most teams, there are two chances to get the coveted 6th win for a bowl, but the Black Knights had to beat UTSA to qualify – they did 27-24 to finish 6-5 (77). They will face UCONN in the Fenway Bowl 12/27 – bundle up. Navy started the season 7-0 before falling in back-to-back weeks to North Texas (AAC runner up) and Notre Dame (10-2 but not going bowling). Finishing 9-2 (48), they will face Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl on January 2nd.
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But first they have to face the fiercest rival any team can imagine – a game that gives bragging rights to admirals or generals each year. A game played by teenagers who have already sacrificed the “normal” college experience for something bigger than themselves in a game much bigger than college football. Navy is favored by Vegas -6.5 and the GCR agrees at 59.5% meaning that we would have placed the odds at -9.5. Thus, Navy should cover. Despite the bragging rights and the sport in general, the kids playing this game have already clinched winner status by their commitment and sacrifice. Go Army. Go Navy.
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For all active, former, and retired military members in all branches, thank you for your service, JoJo and G.
