The annual clash between the Army Black Knights (2-9) and Navy Midshipmen (7-4) has more meaning this season—for a couple of different reasons.
No. 1: Army Has Fighting Chance At CIC Trophy
For the first time since 1996, Army has a chance to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
But taking home the CIC Trophy with a win in “America’s Game” won’t come easy against bowl-bound Navy, a program that last lost to the Black Knights in 2001.
Since 2009, Army is 2-9 whenever the team has lost the turnover battle. That includes the last game the Knights played on Nov. 17, which resulted in a 63-32 crushing defeat to Temple. That’s not the way you want to enter the biggest game of the year, especially considering Navy has won six of its last seven contests to reach a bowl appearance for the ninth time in ten years.
“It’s a game with a lot riding on, and even more this year with the CIC Trophy,” said quarterback Trent Steelman, whose record-book college career comes to an end with this game via Yahoo! Sports. “It’s going to be a challenge to balance those emotions, and I think the team that does that better will be better off.”
The Black Knights kept their CIC aspirations alive with a dominating 41-21 win against Air Force on Nov. 3, which was within a month after the Midshipmen outlasted the Falcons 28-21 in overtime.
“I can’t prove it on the scoreboard, but I know we’re gaining on them,” said Army coach Rich Ellerson. We believe this is a fair fight. Nobody needs to have an out-of-body experience in order for Army to win this game.”
No. 2: New Nike Uniforms
Nike has released the new threads each of these teams will wear for Saturday’s showdown.
Navy’s New Nike Uniforms
From Nike:
Navy’s uniform pays tribute to the traditional dress white uniform – a powerful symbol of professionalism, achievement and authority throughout the organization’s history. The uniform’s clean, white look with black details and gold trim, as well as a new number / letter font, draws inspiration directly from the angular precision and speed of U.S. Navy aircraft. The First Navy Jack, featuring the iconic rattlesnake and “Don’t tread on me” phrase, is designed into the base layer.
The helmet design is inspired by a Naval Officer’s cover with a thick gold stripe representing the gold braid, and angled with a downward slope in much the same way the cover is worn.
Army’s New Nike Uniforms
From Nike:
Army’s striking black and gold uniforms pay tribute to a year when the Black Knights were unstoppable on all fields of battle: 1944, the year the Army troops won a key strategic victory in WWII’s Battle of the Bulge. The football team at home was on its way to a perfect season and the first of three consecutive national championships. In tribute to Army’s historic victory on the battlefield, a historical re-interpreted West Point battle atlas map of the region where the offensive took place can be seen throughout multiple elements of the uniform, from the jersey to base layer to gloves, all the way down to the inside the cleats.
The helmet also takes on the same 1944 look with the deep gold hue and black stripe along with a small black spade on the side in honor of the 101st Airborne division.
During the Midshipmen’s 10-game winning streak, the Black Nights have been outscored 349-112.
However, the Knights ended their 13-game CIC losing streak with the Nov. 3 win over Air Force.
Moreover, the Midshipmen might have a tough time stopping Army as well, which leads the country in rushing.
The Knights eclipsed the 4,000-yard rushing mark for the second year in a row and the team just needs 91 yards on the ground against the Midshipmen to set a program rushing record for the second straight season.
Navy leads the all-time series between the two teams, 56-49-7 and won last year’s get-together, 27-21.
Though there’s a clear significant difference in records, this game should be a battle for four quarters and should live up to the hype, even after the news of the new Nike uniforms.
Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter.
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