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The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy will be contested this Saturday as Army welcomes Air Force to Michie Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 PM EDT kickoff and will be televised on CBS, with streaming available through Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Air Force enters the matchup having dropped three consecutive games to Army, but the Falcons have an opportunity to regain control of the series at Michie Stadium. Currently, Navy holds the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, but the Midshipmen will relinquish it if Air Force wins this weekend, as Navy already suffered a loss at Falcon Stadium last month.
The Falcons boast a 6-2 overall record this season, including a 3-2 mark in the Mountain West Conference, and are coming off a 35-26 victory over UConn last weekend. Despite that success, Troy Calhoun's team is considered the underdog for its visit to West Point, where the 5-3 Black Knights (4-2 in the American Conference) are eager to bounce back from a 49-22 drubbing at Memphis last week.
Army quarterback Cale Hellums has scored more rushing touchdowns this season than any other player in college football, despite averaging fewer than 10 pass attempts per game. The Black Knights also feature running backs Godspower Nwawuihe and Samari Howard, who bolster their run-heavy attack. This could simplify things for an Air Force defense that ranks 23rd nationally overall but 50th against the run, allowing 129.1 yards per game on the ground.
There is uncertainty at quarterback for the Falcons. Liam Szarka led the win over Navy but has since suffered a season-ending injury. Evan Medders played as the backup before sustaining his own setback in the loss to Wyoming two weeks ago, which could mean Kemper Hodges returns at quarterback after rushing for 200 yards and four of the team's five scores in the win over UConn.
Key Analysis
The matchup hinges on Army's ground game, led by Hellums and a stable of capable running backs, against an Air Force defense that has been solid overall but vulnerable against the rush. The Falcons' quarterback situation adds intrigue, with Hodges potentially stepping in after a strong performance. With the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy on the line, both teams have plenty to play for, and the outcome could reshape the service academy rivalry landscape.
Originally reported by yahoo.