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In college basketball, when a mid-major beats a Power 5 or Big East school in a buy-game, we in the blogosphere like to call that “the epitome of brutality.”
I’m not sure there’s an equal phrase for that in college football, but if there is one, Army is going to try and pull it off this weekend when they face No. 5 Oklahoma in Norman.
According to a what-you-need-to-know story on the game from the Norman Transcript, the Black Knights and the Sooners haven’t met on the gridiron since 1961. They’ve played each other three times, with Army taking its lone win in 1946, a 21-7 victory.
In the pass-happy Big 12, the Sooners aren’t used to seeing run-heavy teams, much less teams that run the triple option, which designed to bleed the clock and rack up lots and lots yards on the ground. That’s Army’s best shot at an upset this week: controlling the clock and keeping Kyler Murray off the field. If Kelvin Hopkins, Jr. attempts double-digit passes again this week, it will likely be because the Black Knights fell far behind early.
Your links today include stories on Army vs. Oklahoma, as well as some Navy and Air Force news.
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Sooners’ 1946 trip to Army ushered OU football onto the national stage – Oklahoman
Berry Tramel takes us down memory lane and revisits the Sooners’ first trip to West Point. Harry Truman was at the game, too.
Lehigh rout does not leave Navy football feeling warm and fuzzy – Capital Gazette
Ken Niumatalolo: “We have to play a lot better on offense, a lot better on defense and a lot better on special teams. I also need to coach better. I can’t remember a win like this when I felt like this. I just didn’t think we played very well. I just look at myself. I feel I did a bad job of getting us ready.”
Louisiana native Kade Waguespack adds spice to Air Force’s offense – Colorado Springs Gazette
Brent Briggeman fills us in on the junior tight end who is playing a key role on the Falcons’ offense this season.
All eyes on Oklahoma after ‘bloodied-knuckle brawl’ – Times Herald-Record
Jeff Monken: “Our guys try to play physical every week but having a fight put up against you like today (will prepare us). It’s certainly going to be a physical football game against a really, really talented football team, one of the best football teams in the country.”
’I shouldn’t have got the flag’: SMU coach Sonny Dykes dishes on key unsportsmanlike conduct penalty – Dallas Morning News
SMU faces Navy this week. The Mustangs got whupped by No. 19 Michigan in the Big House on Saturday and Sonny Dykes’ unsportsmanlike conduct penalty didn’t help.
Utah State ranks among top 40 nationally in 18 different categories – Deseret News
Air Force will have its hands full after a bye week. Utah State is pretty good this year, and its offense ranks first in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation with a scoring average of 54.7 points per-game.
Bragging rights and wedding plans for Calen Holt – Army Football Insider
Sal Interdonato takes us inside a memorable day for Calen Holt, as he was a key part of Army’s victory over Hawaii, the team he watched growing up. After the game, Holt proposed to his girlfriend. She said yes.
The Athletic 130: Explosive offense sparks fast start for Boston College ($)
Army and Navy are both ranked in the Top 60. Air Force is a bit behind.
Updated college football bowl projections – Orlando Sentinel
Per the Sentinel, Army could face another independent in December, while Navy is projected to face-off with an ACC team.
Navy Football’s Zach Abey Still Breaking Records With New Role – Pressbox
Ivin Jasper: “I’ve been more impressed by the way he’s handled it. He is a great athlete. He has kept his mouth shut and hasn’t complained at all. He never gets tired. That says a lot about him as a person. He does have a big role in this offense still. He’s our goal-line, short-yardage quarterback. For us to keep drives going, Zach has to keep driving us.”