The 125th match between No. The clash between Army and Navy on Saturday, in Landover (Md. ), will have a greater significance for both teams.

The school that has the best inter-service academy record will receive the Commander-in Chief's Trophy for the first time since 2007.

The Midshipmen (8-3), who were on their way to securing the trophy, took the first steps in securing it when they visited Air Force and thrashed the Falcons by 34-7. The Black Knights (11) did the same on Nov. 2 with a 20-3 win at home over Air Force, despite not having their star quarterback Bryson daily.

Army has had a successful season this year, its first in the American Athletic Conference.

The Black Knights won their first nine-game winning streak since 1996, and all eight of their AAC games before thrashing Tulane 35-14 last Friday at the AAC championship game in West Point.

Army already has 11 victories, a record for the program. The Black Knights will face Marshall in the Independence Bowl on December 28. But the season of the Black Knights depends largely on the result on Saturday.

Army coach Jeff Monken stated that losing this game made the season a little disappointing.

Monken's team has flourished with Daily's 1,480 rushing yardage, which leads the nation in ground attack (314.44 yards per game). Daily shares the college football record for most rushing touchdowns with Ashton Jeanty, a Boise State runningback and Heisman finalist.

The Black Knights are the 7th-lowest scoring team in the country, limiting opponents to only 15.0 points a game. Andon Thomas leads the unit in tackles (83), and Kalib Fortner is second with 8.5 tackles-for-loss.

Army will be ready to take on a Navy offense with a fresh look, which has been the key in turning around this program after four consecutive losing seasons.

The Midshipmen, like the Black Knights rely on triple option. But first-year offensive director Drew Cronic added some extra pizzazz by implementing an updated version of the scheme, which incorporates more pass plays and wide-spread formations.

Navy scored 32.3 points per match this season, up from 17.7 in the previous season.

Blake Horvath, the Midshipmen's quarterback, leads them with 895 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns. He also has 1,154 yards in the air and 11 touchdowns. He was unable to play in Navy's regular season finale against East Carolina due to a back injury, but he said that he will be ready for Saturday.

Horvath may not have started an Army-Navy match, but he knows that he and his team must treat the game like any other.

He said, "Don't push." Don't make the game bigger than it really is. "It's a big match, but do not psyche yourself out."

The Midshipmen's win would end a two-game losing run to the Black Knights, and bring back the Commander-in Chief's Trophy to Annapolis, Md. for the first time in 2019.

Horvath stated that "it would bring a new level of pride in a style of soccer we have been trying to return to this season."

No matter what happens on Saturday, Navy will have its first winning record in 2019 since it went 11-2. In the Armed Forces Bowl, which takes place on December 27, the Midshipmen will make their first bowl since that season.

Field Level Media

(source: Reuters)