this was posted on another forum i visit. i found it an intriguing take on the game:
I have always liked watching this Army vs Navy game played each year. My father is a Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. So sometimes we get together to watch this game at my Uncles house who is of course a Navy veteran. Sometimes, I don't know what is more exciting to watch, the game or my father(Army) and my uncle(Navy) razz and talk trash to eachother before, during, and even after the game. Almost every year, it results in some funny-ass shit to go on.
Anyways, I was speaking to them the other day and I noticed something I hadn't for awhile. They were not so enthusiastic about this game as before. I asked my uncle what his thoughts were on whether or not Navy can cover the big number, that they are favored by, and he also being a betting man, said "he was not sure because he can't see them running up the score against Army, especially in this game." Then he just left it as, "it just wouldn't seem the right thing to do."
This got me thinking. And for those of you who follow my plays, you may remember that alot of my write ups deal with the present or current situations that are facing each team, or one team in particular. Stats, trends, or other technical or mathematical things, I am aware of, as most people are. Still, I like to depend on the here and now as a more reveling way in determining the outcome of a game.
In this years Army/Navy game, I don't see it as a game where there will be an over abundance of Kill Army or Kill Navy type of mentality going on, at least not this year and not in this game. Sure I still expect a highly contested and competitve game being played. But I believe that it will be with more of a respectful type of competitive nature between these two teams on Saturday.
The reason for why I feel this years game may be alittle different, has to simply be because of the War in Iraq. I feel that in this time where our real enemy are those asshole terrorists and those asswipes that help them out, it might be alittle difficult for our service acadamies to see eachother as the enemy, even if its for just one day or for just one game. They know the situation. They know that they, both Army and Navy, as well as Marines, and Air Force are together waging and risking their lives in Iraq and around the World. But more importantly, they probably all know someone who has died because of this War. So I see it possibly alittle hard for them to get to motivated in this one.
Traditionally, this is a big rivalry game that is played and enjoyed by both, and probably by all the services. But in this present time, I know that their minds, spirits, and thoughts are not going to be on demolishing, disgracing, demoralizing, or degrading their fellow comrads in arms, that they will take the field against on Saturday.
I truely feel in my heart that these two teams will definately show up and play a hard competitive game on Saturday, as they always have done. That wont change. That is what makes this such a game I love to watch. It is never over, till the sound of the canon goes off. I dont expect to much difference in this one, if it stays close. But if it is not such a close game, as the Vegas boys has indicated it wont be by posting such a high number of -23 on Navy, and probably deservinly so as Army has yet to win a game, holding the nations longest losing streak. I think that the higher ups or those in charge of armed forces moral and control, will not let a blowout or running up of the score happen. At least not in this game, and definately not this year. They know, that not only people here in the United States will be watching this game. All the men and women overseas, especially those on the battle grounds of Iraq and Afganistan, will also be watching. Because of this, I think that the coaches will not let their team run up the score, if way out ahead. It just wouldn't, like my uncle said, be the right thing to do. It is because there is more to lose if that happens. A rivalry game yes, one must win and one must lose yes, but allowing or letting the loser to be embarassed never.
Now, I know that some of you are probably thinking or saying, so Co-Captain, what are you saying, are you saying that this game will be fixed or something. Well no, that is not what I am saying. I am just saying , that Navy should win this game, but if ahead by alot, will definately adjust their game plan to try to prevent a blowout from happening. Army on the other hand, if they should find themselves winning by alot, will also not let a blowout happen. How can this be accomplished, you may ask. Well, I dont know. But maybe by doing some of these things like, running on passing downs. Playing 3rd ,4th string players. Punting instead of kicking the FG. I really don't know , but I thought I try to give some examples for those out there with the skeptical minds. All I know, is if the coaches wanted an outcome of a game to be a certain way, they are very capable of making sure it can happen, especially with play calling and changing of personel. Ok with that hopefully taken care of. I will end with saying , that the players are going to play hard as they wont be asked to do anything different, but it will be the coaches who will probably know the right protocal in this game, wink, wink. This I feel, is only the right thing to do, especially now and especially in this game. If all works out, this game will be alot closer than the Vegas boys expects, and way below the number.
So, because of who these teams represent and because of the magnitude this game present, I have to say that I feel this -23 number is way to large and will not be covered by Navy. Navy will win but by less than 23.
