“From the Sidelines” is the newest column from 360 Sports and will tackle a hot sports topic each week, along with short notes on other things happening in the world of sports
This Saturday, only one college football game will be played. Starting at 2pm (CT) as it does every year, sandwiched between the conference championships and first week of bowls, is those three words that have captivated the nation since well before World War II: Army v.s Navy.
Since the year 1890, Army has played Navy through time periods in US history such as World War I, The Great Depression, World War II, The Civil Rights Movement, amongst many others. When these Cadets of West Point battle it out on the gridiron against these Midshipmen from Annapolis, it is almost as much a history lesson as it is a football game. The uniqueness of this ballgame extends far beyond the gridiron, as our nation’s future soldiers go toe to toe once a year in a football game. If there is any game that goes beyond on the field further than this one, I can’t think of one.
In the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, both of these programs were at the pinnacle of college ball. Often times ranked No. 1 and No. 2 when they met for their annual showdown, it became a must see for fans across the country. With both teams using primary-run offenses, they’d go back and forth using their speed, agility and smarts, all skills that were developed while at their respective military academy. However, as the years went by, and programs like Ohio State, Oregon, and Miami began to shift the landscape of the best teams in the countries from the academies to large state schools, Army-Navy fell out of it’s place as one of the best games of the year. A large part of this was due to the fact that neither Army or Navy changed their offense from the triple option, flexbone or wishbone, while other programs went toward high flying passing attacks. These teams were more fun to watch because passing had become such an integral part of the offense, and the game wasn’t 90% running, like it was when Army faced Navy. Still, that’s the way it seems to be amongst the general American population. In fact, I’ve talked to multiple fans about this game, and Army and Navy’s rushing attacks, and heard it said that watching this game is “like watching paint dry.''
For those who are all for the modernization of the game, often times the same ones who encourage the “pitch clock” in baseball, that could be the feeling if they witness this matchup. However, for traditionalists, such as myself, it’s a thing of perfection and awe, and an opportunity to flash back to the past and see the offenses that the majority of teams used to run. The quarterback sprinting around the outside ready to pitch it to the halfback, with blockers up the field. Or the fullback taking the ball right up the middle, trying to gain a short first down. These are the things that make these types of run-first offenses you’ll see on Saturday so interesting to watch. While everyone may not agree, in reality, the triple option and flexbone and the most efficient formations in football, when compared to the shotgun style, pass-first offenses we often see in today’s game.
When you think about it, both of the formations primarily run by Army and Navy, the triple option and the flexbone, are formations where the quarterback has choices stacked upon choices. He starts with the football and can either hand it off to the fullback running up the middle, take it himself to the outside, or pitch it to one of the halfbacks charging right behind him, who is typically begging for the football. Why? Because more often than not, no matter how many times they watch it play out on film or see it in the game, defenses have a very hard time avoiding the blockers, and getting to the ball carrier, especially when they have no idea which way the ball is going even five seconds into the play. From a defensive standpoint it’s a tough formation to defend and tires out the D-Line super quick as they’re having to muscle against an entire O-Line and try to find the ball at the same time. In addition, if you throw the ball on first down, and it’s incomplete, well then, you still got 10 yards to go and one less down. When it’s run three straight plays, all you have to do is pick up a measly 3.5 yards per down and you got yourself a brand new set of downs! Finally, it’s worked for a century. As I already said, defenses have no idea where the ball is going and it’s tough to bring down the ball carrier when he pitches it before you get to him. Simply put, there is a reason this offense has worked for so long, with its efficiency and dedication to picking up just a couple yards per play. Plus, these offenses bleed the clock down, giving your opponent that much less time to create a successful drive, especially late in the ballgame.
I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, those that don’t have the patience to watch Army-Navy can’t appreciate it either. However, for fans who see the beauty in such offenses, it is one of the more exciting games of the year. Sure, it may not be able to rival a primetime matchup between Florida and LSU, but when you can see the reasoning behind such an offensive setup, you can begin to appreciate such a game between these two military schools, when Army plays Navy.
College Basketball’s Top 25 Severely Shaken Up
On Tuesday night, in the first game of the Jimmy V Classic, history happened. 2018 National Runner-Up Texas Tech, unranked currently, took down highly favored, No. 1 Louisville 70-57, marking the first time in NCAA history that four No. 1s have fallen before January, as two Kentucky and Duke also fell to upsets early on in the season. Michigan State was defeated by No. 2 Kentucky in the first game of the season. Elsewhere in the top 25, Penn State, playing at home shocked No. 4 Maryland as the Nittany Lions fans stormed the court and PSU moved to an 8-2 record. In an extremely hard fought ballgame between No. 18 Butler and No. 11 Baylor, it was the Bears earning the “W” with their one point 53-52 victory. Finally, Northern Iowa took down No. 24 Colorado behind good three point shooting in a 79-76 win.
Cole, Gregorius Sign
Former Astros Ace Gerrit Cole signed for a whopping 9 year, 324 million dollar deal Tuesday with....The New York Yankees. It’s the largest contract in MLB history. Apparently, the Yankees have found a way to keep Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Brett Gardner and add Cole! Will we see New York once again host a world championship next year? Time will only tell.
Former Yankee shortstop Didi Gregorious joined Bryce Harper, Jake Arrieta and the Phillies, signing a one year, 14 million dollar deal with the club.
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