College Football Poll, Preview: Army vs. Navy

2005 Army-Navy
By Douglas Kroll
11/30/05
Courtesy: CollegeJersey.com

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will be sold out this weekend, but not for an Eagles game. The annual Army-Navy game will take over the Eagles’ home turf, in the 106th meeting between the two schools.

A win by Navy (6-4) would mean the third straight year of winning the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, but it is the first time since 1996 that each school has a chance to win the trophy. The trophy is given to one of three service academy schools that defeats the other two.

This year could provide one of the better match ups in recent history. The Black Knights of Army (4-6) are on fire, having won its last four games after starting the season 0-6. The biggest win of the year came at Air Force, as Army won it 27-24.

Army looks to close the season out on a five game winning streak that also includes a shutout at Akron and a blowout over Arkansas State.

The all-time series is dead even at 49-49-7. A win by Navy would give them a series lead for the first time since 1991, and would be their fourth win in-a-row against the Black Knights.

Army is led by a 1-2 punch of senior runners. Carlton Jones leads the offense with 944 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Scott Wesley also has been dangerous, rushing for 519 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 99 carries.

Zach Dahman is Army’s quarterback, and has thrown for 1,609 yards and eight touchdowns. But Dahman has also thrown 13 interceptions on the season.

Navy has already accepted a bid to the brand new Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on December 22nd against Colorado State. It will be the third straight season with a bowl game for the Mids. Not too bad, considering the Midshipmen lost their first two games to Maryland and Stanford, and have rebounded to win their last six of eight games.

The Navy Midshipmen are No.1 in the nation when it comes to rushing, as they once again attack opponents with the option. Quarterback Lamar Owens leads the team in yards through the air and on the ground. Owens has rushed for 731 yards and eight touchdowns and thrown for four touchdowns and 1,114 yards. Six Midshipmen have rushed for more than 290 yards this season, and eight players have rushing touchdowns on the year.

The game can be seen across the nation on CBS, and kickoff is set for 2:35 Eastern Time.

Douglas Kroll is an independent contributor to College Football Poll.com.