The faculty soccer groups on the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Army Academy are each 4-0 for the primary time since 1945.
A situation now exists the place the Black Knights and the Midshipmen may meet two weekends in a row in December — first in an American Athletic Convention championship recreation after which of their common season conflict on Dec. 14, the place the Military-Navy recreation and the Heisman ceremony are the one related issues taking place in FBS faculty soccer. Two Military-Navy conferences in a single season can be bizarre, but additionally superior — particularly for those who love the triple-option.
Wanting on the extra speedy schedule, it seems like each the Mids and Black Knights will each be 5-0 after this weekend.
Going into Week 6, Military is favored by 12.5 factors in opposition to a Tulsa workforce that received blown out by North Texas final week, whereas Navy is favored by 10 factors in Colorado Springs, dealing with Air Power within the first of three Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy video games this season.
Video games between Service Academy groups are typically must-watch ones. When factors for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy are on the road, the Midshipmen, Falcons and Black Knights often play at their highest.
However there’s cause to consider that this recreation gained’t be all that shut. Navy is unbeaten and receiving votes within the Prime 25 Ballot, whereas Air Power is 1-3 with its lone victory coming by the use of a 21-6 rating over FCS workforce Merrimack. Air Power entered the season with the least skilled roster within the nation, and Navy returned 4 beginning offensive lineman and 7 defensive starters.
Oh, and Navy has a kind of dudes at quarterback this season in Blake Horvath, who’s the first quarterback since Lamar Jackson in 2016 to hurry for no less than seven touchdowns and throw for no less than seven touchdowns within the first 4 video games of the season.
Air Power has a four-game successful streak in opposition to Navy, however the Falcons are due for a little bit of a comeuppance. When the COVID-shortened 2020 season occurred, Air Power despatched a few of its gamers house, preserving their eligibility. Within the service academy world, these are referred to as “turnbacks.” Most often, fifth-year gamers and redshirt years aren’t actually allowed at service academies. You could have 4 years to finish your diploma and then you definitely go to work for the navy. However it’s the view of many in Annapolis that Air Power gamed the system through the pandemic when practically 40 Falcons used turnbacks. For the following three seasons — the place Air Power went 29-10 with three bowl wins and 4-2 in opposition to Military and Navy — the Falcons had fifth-year gamers scattered on their roster when, beneath regular circumstances, they wouldn’t have. Navy didn’t use any turnbacks.
And now all that further expertise is gone, and Air Power has a younger workforce that doesn’t appear to be all that good.
So, it’s revenge time for the Mids.
Navy versus Air Power kicks off at midday on Saturday on CBS and Paramount+. Listed here are the opposite video games it is best to take note of:
All odds through BetMGM
Finest Sport of the Week: No. 9 Missouri at No. 25 Texas A&M
Saturday, midday ET – ABC
(Picture by Alex Slitz/Getty Photographs)
That is the lone ranked-versus-ranked matchup of Week 6. It needs to be a recreation that helps us separate the contenders from the pretenders within the SEC. Missouri is aiming to maintain its undefeated document intact, whereas the Aggies are eyeing a 3-0 begin in SEC play beneath first-year coach Mike Elko.
Sport which may have an effect on the School Soccer Playoff: SMU at No. 22 Louisville
Saturday, midday ET – ESPN
(Picture by Sam Hodde/Getty Photographs)
Just like the Aggies’ matchup with the Tigers within the SEC, this recreation between SMU and Louisville ought to present us who’s for actual and who isn’t within the ACC. The Cardinals are coming off their first loss, a 31-24 defeat at Notre Dame, whereas the Mustangs demolished Florida State, 42-16, final week.
The ACC stays large open. Is SMU able to successful the convention in its first season in it? Proper now, the Ponies definitely appear to have an offense able to scoring in opposition to anybody, as they’ve stacked up 108 factors within the final two weeks.
And nobody had this recreation circled on their calendar within the preseason, however an October 26 recreation at Duke — who’s at present undefeated — is trying increasingly fascinating for SMU and ACC soccer followers.
Bizarre Weeknight Sport of the Week: Syracuse at No. 25 UNLV
Friday, 9 p.m. ET – FS1
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Photographs
Keep in mind Matt Sluka? It was simple to neglect about him final week when — after Sluka mainly eliminated himself from the workforce over an NIL kerfuffle to protect his eligibility — Hajj-Malik Williams stepped in beneath heart for the Rebels and piled up 301 yards of whole offense, three passing touchdowns and one speeding in a dominant 59-14 win over Fresno State.
With an undefeated document and a spot within the AP Prime 25 Ballot, UNLV finds itself positioned for not solely a run on the Mountain West Convention title but additionally a spot within the School Soccer Playoff. By way of 5 weeks, it seems like that playoff spot that may go to the very best ranked Group of 5 champion would possibly wind up going to the winner of the Mountain West, which can probably be UNLV or Boise State.
For now, UNLV is offered with a possibility to spice up its resume with a victory over a serious convention opponent. Watch this recreation for the quarterback play, the place Williams is one facet, whereas the Orange shall be powered by former Ohio State passer Kyle McCord.
Superior Group of 5 matchup value watching: James Madison at UL Monroe
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs
Exterior of the Mountain West, James Madison seems to be just like the strongest contender for the Group of 5 playoff bid with a 4-0 document and an explosive offense. In the meantime, UL Monroe is off to its strongest begin shortly beneath first-year coach Bryan Vincent.
With yet one more victory, the Warhawks could have 4 wins, tying their most in a single season over the previous 5 years. Monroe hasn’t had a successful season since 2012. How the Warhawks play at house in opposition to James Madison could possibly be an indicator of how excessive they need to get their hopes for the remainder of the season.
Sickos Responsible Pleasure Sport of the Week: Pitt at UNC
Saturday, midday ET – ESPN2
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Photographs
How a lot worse can issues get for Mack Brown at North Carolina after giving up 70 factors to James Madison and blowing a 20-point lead in opposition to rival Duke? Right here comes the ACC’s signature chaos agent strolling into Chapel Hill with an Alabama switch at quarterback. Good luck, Tar Heels.
Additionally watch…
Michigan State at No. 6 Oregon: Friday, 9 p.m. ET – FOX
No. 12 Ole Miss at South Carolina: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
No. 4 Tennessee at Arkansas: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET – ABC
No. 10 Michigan at Washington: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET – NBC, Peacock
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