The game itself is of no particular consequence to the championship, or to the bowl matchups.  In an unusual year, both academies will go to bowl games this year.  Navy is headed to the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on December 23rd (8 pm ET on ESPN)m while Army will play on December 30th at the Armed Forces Bowl (noon ET, ESPN), thanks to good years for both.  (Air Force gives the military a trifecta, playing Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl on December 27th, 5 ET also on ESPN.)

Instead, what this game will lack in impact on national standings will be more than made up in good, hard, and sportsmanlike play.  The annual Army-Navy game gives us all a chance to cheer on our favorite academy while seeing that both teams know that they’re really on the same side, and so are we — proud of our young men and women in the academies and thankful for their dedication to our country.  As a Notre Dame fan, I’m especially privileged to watch my team play both of these academies every year and to see the mutual respect and affection demonstrated at the end of the contests, as both teams stand with each other for the playing of both alma maters.

This is a great way to celebrate the end of a fun college football season, and to cheer on those who will defend us later.  Enjoy!

Note: I should make a prediction, I suppose.  Having seen both teams, I’d guess that Navy is stronger. I’ll pick them by a touchdown, 24-17.