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The 2010 Army Navy Game Preview - Introduction and Overview to the 111th Game Between the Black Knights and Midshipmen

This game is, of course, the most storied rivalry in college football, and arguably the most storied rivalry, of any sport in North America.

The first meeting was back in 1890, and the Army Navy Game will have taken place in 111 of the subsequent 120 years (the years that were skipped were in the 1890s, when it was just getting started, as well as interruptions during World War I, when the 1917 and 1918 games were scrapped.)

All-time, Navy leads the series, 54-49-7. The Midshipmen have reclaimed the lead, due to having dominated the series in the 21st century. Navy has defeated Army eight years in a row - the longest streak for either side in the 120-year history of the rivalry.

Army's last victory was in 2001, at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium, and which is now a parking lot at Broad and Pattison Avenues, three blocks from Lincoln Financial Field. "The Vet", as it was commonly known, was vacated by the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2002 season. Army has lost all six of its games against Navy at Lincoln Financial Field (they also lost at the Meadowlands in North Jersey in 2002, and in Baltimore in 2007).

Moreover, the 21st-century Navy wins have not been mere victories, but annihilations. The Midshipmen have won all eight games by double-digits (all at Lincoln Financial Field, unless otherwise noted)...

Army hasn't scored a touchdown against Navy since the 2006 game, when the Black Knights scored 23 points. (If Navy keeps Army out of the end zone again, this year, it will be the first time that either academy has held the other without a touchdown, for four straight games, in series history.)

They have scored six points, total, in the last three losses to Navy. And the 2009 loss to Navy - 17-3 - was the closest score of the eight games.

Army Is Looking to Win For the First Time in A While

Despite the Navy dominance over the last decade, Army genuinely has a realistic chance to win this year, or at minimum, to be competitive. The Black Knights enter Lincoln Financial Field with a 6-5 record. And for the first time in 14 years, their season will not end on Saturday. Army will be playing in a bowl game - the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Dallas - its first post-Navy appearance since 1996.

The Army Black Knights - 6-5 - 2010 Season Thus Far

Army's six victories came, chronologically, against (home in bold):

@ Eastern Michigan, North Texas, @ Duke, @ Tulane, VMI, and @ Kent State.

Army was defeated by Hawai'i, Temple, and Air Force, and also had two neutral site losses, vs. Rutgers (@ the Meadowlands), and Notre Dame (at Yankee Stadium).

The Navy Midshipmen - 8-3 - 2010 Season Thus Far

Navy enters the game with an 8-3 record. Navy's eight victories came, chronologically, against (home in bold):

Georgia Southern, @ Louisiana Tech, @ Wake Forest, SMU, vs. Notre Dame at a neutral site, @ East Carolina, Central Michigan, and Arkansas State.

Navy was defeated @ Air Force, Duke, and also had a neutral site loss, vs. Maryland.

The Midshipmen also will not see their season end on Saturday; they will be playing in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on December 23.

What To Expect From Both Army and Navy - A Multitude of Running Plays And a Fast Game

On the defensive side of the ball, Army plays the Double-Eagle

Both Army and Navy run the Triple Option offense. This means that both the Black Knights and Midshipmen run the ball constantly, with the respective quarterbacks, requiring quickness and speed, more than passing ability.

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