If you’re only going to read one Army-Navy preview this year … read this one, from our good friends at USA Today.
But if you’ve got the bandwidth for a second preview, or you prefer your service-academy football with a side of spirit spots, read on for a few things you need to know as kickoff comes ever closer.
The basics: 114th Army-Navy game, Saturday, 3 p.m. Eastern, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
TV: CBS (Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson have the call).
Pregame: Live pregame fare begins at 11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network (Do you get it? Find out here) and includes the march-ons, set for 12:16 (Army) and 12:46 (Navy). At 10 a.m., CBSSN will re-air “Marching On: 1963 Army-Navy Remembered,” a documentary on the 1963 game played in the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination.
I want to know more about that game, including interviews with both quarterbacks: Here you go.
The weather: Temperatures should be around freezing at kickoff, according to AccuWeather, with a steady snow starting at noon and continuing through about halftime.
How do I stay warm?: For Army fans, may we suggest a hot meal?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3z7s9cQuoE[/youtube]Gambling is illegal in most states: Navy opened as a 10-point favorite, and the line has since moved up to 13 points. The over/under (bet above or below the total points scored) is 53. It sounds like a lot of points in a snowstorm, but the Eagles beat the Lions 34-20 last weekend on the same field in an arctic mess. Not quite this bad, but close.
Army links: All you’d ever want in the official media notes … comprehensive coverage from Army football guru Sal Interdonato and the team at the Times Herald-Record … Raymond Maples, sidelined rushing threat … running back Terry Baggett and linebacker Thomas Holloway are the brains of the outfit.
Navy links: Navy’s official media notes … the fleet’s history command offers its take on the rivalry, complete with historic photos … The Baltimore Sun weighs in on Navy’s five sets of brothers (Army has five, as well) … full coverage, including video chats, from Bill Wagner and the folks at The (Annapolis, Md.) Capital … Keenan Reynolds closes in on a QB-TD record.
Musical interlude:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fGKs7PfEXY[/youtube]Get social: Use #ArmyNavy, #GoNavy or #GoArmy in your tweets and you might find your message on our social media tracker. Follow us on Twitter, and head here during the game for all the latest updates. After the game, check back to see if you can find yourself in the stands in one of our massive panoramic, high-resolution images. Here’s a look at last year’s.
Predictions: Leave yours in the comments below.
