Setting the Stage
• Navy (8-3) and Army (6-5) will square off for the 111th time in the greatest rivalry in all of sports on Saturday, Dec. 11 (2:30 pm) in the annual Navy-Army game presented by USAA.

• CBS will broadcast the game with Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline) calling the action from Lincoln Financial Field (68,532) in Philadelphia.

• The Midshipmen enter the Army-Navy game ranked third in the country in rushing (302.6 yds/gm), 17th in turnover margin (+0.9) and 19th in passing efficiency (151.2). Senior linebacker Tyler Simmons is tied for 20th in the country in tackles per game (10.1), while junior defensive end Jabaree Tuani is 23rd in tackles for a loss (1.3).

• The Black Knights enter the Army-Navy game ranked 10th nationally in rushing (260.3 yds/gm), 10th in turnover margin (+1.0) and 24th in pass defense (190.9 yds/gm). Donovan Travis is tied for 11th in the country in interceptions per game (0.45), while Josh McNary is tied for ninth in sacks (0.86).

• For the first time since 1996, both teams enter the contest bowl eligible. Army was 9-1 and Navy 8-2 going into the 1996 game. Army won that contest, 28-24, in one of the greatest games in series history. This year also marks the first time that all three Service Academies (Army, Navy and Air Force) will go to a bowl game in the same year.

• Navy has won a series-record eight-consecutive games against the Black Knights and 10 of the last 11.

• The current Navy senior class has not surrendered a touchdown to Army in three previous meetings. The Mids have outscored the Black Knights, 89-6, over the last three years. No Army or Navy team has ever kept the other out of the end zone in four-straight years in the history of the series.

• Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs has recorded 48-career rushing touchdowns, the fifth most rushing touchdowns by
a quarterback in NCAA history. He needs just two rushing TDs to pass Kareem Wilson of Ohio University for fourth.
He has rushed for 40 touchdowns over the last two seasons, which is an NCAA record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback over two-consecutive seasons.

• The Navy offense has scored on 20 of its last 27 possessions (18 touchdowns and two field goals).

• The Mids have scored on 33 of their last 34 drives in the red zone (.971), with 31 of those scores resulting in a touchdown.

• The Navy defense has forced at least one turnover in 15 of the last 17 games. The Mids are 7-0 this year when winning the turnover battle.

• If Navy can beat Army and win its bowl game, the Mids will tie the school record for wins with 10 and it will mark the first time in school history that Navy has won 10 games in back-to-back seasons. The senior class would also tie the Class of 1909 with a school-record 36 wins

It's time gentlemen. Beat down that Mule!

My Dad would take me to this game every year in the old Vet Stadium in Philly. He was ex-Army so I was obligated to cheer for the Cadets. But now my own son is in the Navy so this week we will be standing with the Middies. GO NAVY - BEAT ARMY!

It is one of the greatest events in all of sports. The pageantry along with respect for the opposition is like none other.

Navy’s eight wins this year have come against three bowl teams (SMU, Notre Dame and East Carolina) and one team in the FCS playoffs (Georgia Southern). SMU won its division in Conference USA and will play UCF this Saturday in the Conference USA Championship Game.

Two of Navy’s three losses have come against bowl teams (Maryland and Air Force).

Navy has played six teams that have winning records (Maryland, Georgia Southern, Air Force, SMU, Notre Dame and East Carolina) and the Mids are 4-2 in those games. Army also has a winning recrod this year and will be Navy's 7th team.

^^^
My Dad loved to tell us all the stories about how the Cadets would try to kidnap the Ram and the Navy would try to kidnap the Mule the week before the game. Did you ever hear about the time in '92 when Navy flew F-14 sorties all night thru the Hudson River Valley so the Cadet players couldn't get any sleep? Wonder how much THAT cost the taxpayers!?!? Great Stuff!

I take it you are current or ex-Navy?

Tiernan;581855 wrote: ...
I take it you are current or ex-Navy?

No. I am not. I won't disclose my past relationship with the Naval Academy but it's safe to say there's an intimate tie.

There's a lot of great back and forth chicanery that goes on for the next two weeks....for that matter all year.

Do you know the only similarity between a Midshipmen and an Army Cadet?

They both were accepted to West Point.

Here's the all-time Navy vs Army all sports competition record.

Navy leads, 920-701-39 (.566)

In football alone Navy leads 54-49-7.

Heck, even in Sprint Football Navy leads 38-31-1. However, they did drop this year's game against the USMA.

Go Navy!!

Annapolis and West Point are two of the most beautiful college campuses in the nation. I always tell folks if you are traveling anywhere near these two places do yourself a huge favor and take at least a half day to stop and visit both locations. Standing at the wall of Fort Putnam at West Point you know you are standing in the exact same spot Geo Washington probably stood handreds of times surveying the Hudson. Gave me chills.

Con_Alma;581861 wrote:No. I am not. I won't disclose my past relationship with the Naval Academy but it's safe to say there's an intimate tie.

There's a lot of great back and forth chicanery that goes on for the next two weeks....for that matter all year.

Do you know the only similarity between a Midshipmen and an Army Cadet?

They both were accepted to West Point.

Here's the all-time Navy vs Army all sports competition record.

Navy leads, 920-701-39 (.566)

In football alone Navy leads 54-49-7.

Heck, even in Sprint Football Navy leads 38-31-1. However, they did drop this year's game against the USMA.

JAG?

Tiernan;581873 wrote:Annapolis and West Point are two of the most beautiful college campuses in the nation. I always tell folks if you are traveling anywhere near these two places do yourself a huge favor and take at least a half day to stop and visit both locations. Standing at the wall of Fort Putnam at West Point you know you are standing in the exact same spot Geo Washington probably stood handreds of times surveying the Hudson. Gave me chills.

I can agree with that.

The emphasis to detail surrounding every brick in the Yard at Annapolis is awe inspiring. The pure reverence and significance put into every building and event that takes place makes anyone bleed patriotism when they visit the institutions. I have never been to Colorado Springs to see the Air Force Academy but if it's anything like West Point and Annapolis I'm sure I would be just as impressed.

If you ever have a chance visit Memorial Hall at Bancroft in Annapolis. You will leave speechless and with goose bumps. Also I suggest walking into the Chapel if possible. Stunning. We attend worship service there when in town on Sundays and seeing the pew roped off and a candle lit for all Midshipmen on active duty and unable to attend is humbling. Finally, if able, walk underneath the Chapel and visit the Crypt of John Paul Jones. The ornate symbol of appreciation and respect to the "Father Of The Navy" is a tribute to how they treat all who have come before.

Now back to the game!

dat dude;581875 wrote:JAG?

Lol. Oh God no! I'm not that smart.

NCAA record Book
NCAA Career Rushing Touchdown By A QB
Rk TDs Player, Team (Year)
1. 59 Eric Crouch, Nebraska (1998-01)
2. 57 Tim Tebow, Florida (2006-09)
3. 56 Colin Kaepernick, Nevada (2007-current)
4. 49 Kareem Wilson, Ohio (1995-98)
5. 48 Ricky Dobbs, Navy (2008-current)

Ricky Dobbs should pass Kareem Wilson from OU in the next two games putting fourth in all time rushing TDs for a QB.

Here's one all college football fans can appreciate.

Consecutive Bowl Appearances (current streak)
Rk. Bowls Team
1. 29 Florida St.*
2. 20 Florida*
3. 18 Virginia Tech*
4. 14 Georgia Tech* - 14 Georgia*
6. 12 Oklahoma* - 12 Boston College*
8. 11 LSU* - 11 Ohio State* - 11 Texas Tech*
11. 10 West Virginia*
12. 9 Boise St.* - 9 Wisconsin* - 9 Southern Miss*
15. 8 Navy* - 8 Utah*
* bowl eligible this season

Navy tradition on my side of the family will continue when my son goes to boot camp July 6th. I was in the Navy(1986-1990), my uncle spent four years in the Navy and my grandfather was in the Navy during World War II.

Go Navy!!!

Well Navy will win this one easily. On a side note, they just filimed a commercial on my ship about a month ago that is suppose to be on during the Army/Navy game. They were there for 3 days filming and also they will show a remaking of the human flag at great lakes during the game also. I was part of the human flag this past spring.

Back in 96 I think while deployed in the Persian Gulf they filmed one on our ship. We formed a large human N on the back deck and they filmed it from the helo, it was pretty cool

Tough call here, my grandfather was in the Navy for World War II, and my father was in the Army for Vietnam. I personally was in Army ROTC for a bit.

If Army wears their digital cameo uniforms, I'll root for them.

Navy. I also attened one game back in the late 80's with my Grandfather.

Ytowngirlinfla;582350 wrote:Well Navy will win this one easily. ...

I don't know if it will be easily won. If you look at the offensive production versus other triple option teams this year it has not been very good. Army has improved tremendously and Navy's defense has given up a lot of yards over the past couple of weeks.

If Ricky Dobbs is healthy, I mean truly 100% healthy...then and only then will I take Navy and lay points. Although Proctor is faster than Dobbs and does an very good job running this offense he's just not the leader that Dobbs is.

This could be a very fun game to watch.

Army has accepted an invitation to The Armed Forces Bowl against a Conference USA team.

This is their first Bowl since 1996 when they lost to Auburn 32-29. Congrats to the Black Knights.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/11/30/army-armed-forces-bowl.ap/index.html?eref=sihp

This is funny. I don't care who you are.

At the end of the day the seniors will be on the same team.

Hulk Smash;581925 wrote:Navy tradition on my side of the family will continue when my son goes to boot camp July 6th. I was in the Navy(1986-1990), my uncle spent four years in the Navy and my grandfather was in the Navy during World War II.

Go Navy!!!

Where are you from? I bet I know your son's recruiter.

No doubt who I am pulling for.

Verse two of Anchors Aweigh

Stand Navy, down the field, sails set to the sky.
We'll never change our course, so Army you steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll up the score, Navy, Anchors Aweigh
Sail, Navy, down the field and sink the Army, sink the Army Grey.

Beat Army!