The Army-Navy game holds a unique spot on the college football calendar, noted for its rich history and rivalry. Traditionally, it hasn’t influenced national rankings or titles, but this year is different. Both teams are undefeated—Army at 7-0 and Navy at 6-0—and ranked No. 23 and No. 24, respectively, making them potential College Football Playoff contenders if they clinch the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title.
Remarkably, this is the first time since 1926 that both have started the season undefeated, with Army leading the nation in rushing offense, thanks to quarterback Bryson Daily’s 26 total touchdowns. Navy is off to its best season since 2019, setting the stage for the possibility of facing Army twice—once in the AAC championship and again in their annual rivalry.
The Army-Navy game, slated for December 14, won’t impact the Playoff standings as the selections occur on December 8, potentially leading to an unusual scenario where the winner of the AAC championship still must face their rival in a regular-season finale. This presents a tight schedule, offering less preparation time for postseason games.
Army stands a strong chance of entering the Playoff if it wins upcoming games against Air Force and Notre Dame, with a current 63% likelihood of clinching the AAC, while Navy has a 15% chance. The fate of either team also depends on outcomes in the Mountain West Conference, where Boise State and UNLV present competition.
Historically, Army has claimed national titles in the 1940s, while Navy shares a 1926 title, although neither has topped the AP rankings since the mid-1960s. The upcoming games include Air Force, North Texas, and Notre Dame for Army, and encounters with Notre Dame, Tulane, and South Florida for Navy.
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