PHILADELPHIA — The Army-Navy series has long held its lofty spot as sport’s most patriotic rivalry, with pride, prestige and the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at stake for each service academy.
Also on the line, Navy’s 11-game series winning streak, which has turned the annual regular-season finale into one of sport’s most lopsided rivalries, as well.
Navy (7-4) has not only defeated Army 11 straight times, it has won 13 of the last 14 and 14 of 16. Army’s (3-8) only wins over the last 16 years came in 2001 and 1998.
Navy’s 17-13 win last season was the tightest margin since the winning streak started. Unlike previous games over the last decade, the Black Knights were in the game until their final 70-yard drive. Army had driven to the 14 when QB Trent Steelman and fullback Larry Dixon fumbled on a sloppy exchange. Navy recovered and the Midshipmen on the sideline went wild and rushed the field.
“It was painful, no doubt about that, but in this game,” Army coach Rich Ellerson said, “you’ve got to leave this stuff behind.”
The Post’s experts’ picks
Line: Navy -12.5
Over/Under: 52
Holmlund: Army
Hondo: Army
Kussoy: Navy
Lewis: Navy
Rico: Navy
Satriano: Navy
Shaw: Navy
Terranova: Army