The revealing of the final College Football Playoff bracket sparked a lot of conversation and seems to have created some divisiveness throughout the CFB world.
Some are happy that Tulane and James Madison, two Group of Five conference champions, made it in this year’s field. Others, not so much.
But regardless of which side of the fence someone falls on in that debate, there’s one thing nearly all college football fans can get behind — the Army-Navy game.
Traditions and pride make it one of the most unique and best rivalries in all of sports and, even leading up to kickoff, there’s no shortage of excitement.
This year’s meeting will be the 126th in a rivalry that dates back to 1890. Both teams also beat Air Force this year, meaning the Commander-In-Chief trophy is on the line.
Army vs. Navy Spread & Betting Odds
Navy is a 6.5-point college football betting odds favorite against Army, as of this writing. The Over/Under is at 39.5, and the moneyline is -245 for Navy and +200 for Army.
Army vs. Navy On TV
The matchup between Army and Navy will be televised on CBS. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
Army-Navy Coaches & Records
NAVY: Brian Newberry, third year (24-12 overall/at Navy)
ARMY: Jeff Monken, 12th year (126-78 overall, 88-62 at Army)
Last meeting: Navy won 31-13 last year. The Midshipmen lead the series 63-55-7.
Army-Navy Uniforms
One of the best parts about America’s Game are the extremely detailed uniforms both programs wear each year.
Here’s a look Army’s threads:
And Navy’s:
Army Preview
After a 1-3 start to the season, the Black Knights are 5-2 since the first week of October. That includes a seven-point loss to Tulane and a one-point loss to Tulsa. They’ve played in eight one-possession games, and their last five contests have been decided by one score.
This will be the sixth consecutive season Army has won at least six games. The Black Knights have a chance to reach eight wins after accepting an invite to the Fenway Bowl where they’ll play UConn.
Outside of a 45-38 defeat to North Texas in Week 4, the Black Knights haven’t surrendered more than 30 points in a game this season. They’re second in the American in scoring defense and total defense, allowing 22.5 points and 357 yards per game.
Senior inside linebacker Andon Thomas was named second-team all-conference and leads the Black Knights with 96 total tackles. Kalib Fortner has registered 70 tackles and seven tackles for loss, while Collin Matteson has 64 tackles and seven pass breakups.
The Black Knights have been one of the best teams in the country at limiting big plays and have given up only one play of 50 or more yards this season, which is tied for the best in the country. Their 140 plays of 10 or more yards allowed are the least in the American.
Anchored by center and first-team all-conference honoree Brady Small, the Black Knights’ 256.9 rushing yards per game are the second-most in the league, only behind Navy and ranks fifth in the nation. They are averaging 23 points per game.
Junior quarterback Cale Hellums orchestrates Army’s option-offense and has 1,078 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. He’s passed for 504 yards and three scores. Noah Short has 552 rushing yards and has added 279 yards on 22 receptions.
Navy Preview
For the first time since 2016-17, the Midshipmen have had back-to-back winning seasons. With a victory over Army or over Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl, the Mids can reach double-digit wins in back-to-back years for the first time ever.
Navy finished the regular season at No. 22 in the Associated Press Top 25, and at 9-2, its only two losses this year came to North Texas and Notre Dame. QB Blake Horvath missed the Notre Dame contest with an injury. Since 2023, the Mids are 19-4 when Horvath is the starter.
The senior leads Navy’s rushing attack with 1,040 yards and 14 TDs. He’s added 1,390 yards and nine scores through the air and is the first QB in program history to have 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in consecutive seasons.
Alex Tecza has 772 yards and nine scores on the ground, and wideout Eli Heidenreich has 1,214 total yards of offense and seven TDs. Tecza and Heidenreich, along with guard Ben Pruvis, earned second-team All-American Conference honors while Horvath was a third-team selection.
Navy’s triple-option attack leads the FBS in rushing with 298.4 YPG. It is averaging 32.5 PPG. The Midshipmen have been explosive this year and are averaging 6.06 yards per carry, which is the second-best mark in the nation, and their 29 plays of 50 or more yards are third-most.
Senior nose guard Landon Robinson was voted the American Defensive Player of the Year and is pacing the Mids with 6.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. He is the first Navy player to earn that honor and had a career-high 13 tackles last year against Army.
Linebacker MarcAnthony Parker was a third-team honoree and leads the Mids with 88 tackles. Safety Luke Pirris has 72 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.
Navy is allowing 26.9 PPG and 398.7 YPG.
Army vs. Navy Prediction
I predict Navy wins but Army covers the spread.
Navy’s had more success this year, but I think Army has played its best opponents close and only has one loss by more than seven points.
I think Army’s defense shows up and makes things difficult for Horvath and Co., but I still believe the Midshipmen find a way to prevail in the end and that Robinson will make some big plays late and show why he was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
In this series, the underdog is 10-4 against the spread since 2011 and the Under is 17-2 since 2006.
