The Army Black Knights are rolling into this weekend’s 125th Army-Navy showdown like a freight train. At 11-1, fresh off rag-dolling Tulane in the AAC Championship, they’re favored to claim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The Air Force is out of the Commander-in-Chief title picture after they got thrashed by the Army in Week 10 and the Navy in Week 6. Skeptics are already riding high with the Army after that AAC title performance. But don’t sleep on Navy just yet. The Midshipmen, led by QB Blake Horvath, are rallying back from a rocky season, and one college football insider just named the duo that could derail Jeff Monken and the Army’s plans. Could the Navy actually flip the script, or is this game already locked for the Army?

On December 11th, Certified college football OG Randy dropped his thoughts on CBS Sports, and he wasn’t shy about giving the Army its flowers. “Army’s on a roll,” he said. “They’re tough, physical, they run the [football], and they’ve got excellent defense.” And it’s hard to argue. Army’s ground game obliterated Tulane on national television in the AAC title matchup, and their defense looked unshakable. Jeff Monken’s team seems built for this type of showdown. But then did a classic switch-up.

Randy wasn’t sleeping on Navy either. “Navy had a great start to the season, had a few blips, and now they’ve sort of come back. They’re getting healthy. If you get Horvath [Blake] 100%, it makes this game a lot closer,” he noted. And here’s the kicker: If Navy QB Blake Horvath’s ribs are back to 100%, it’s a whole different ballgame. This dude’s a certified dual-threat, rushing for 895 yards and 13 TDs while still throwing for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns.

And Randy didn’t stop there, adding, “Watch out for Eli Heidenreich. This guy can do just about anything.” Heidenreich’s dual-threat ability—400+ yards in both rushing and receiving—makes him a player the Army’s defense must keep tabs on. Horvath and Heidenreich have been central to the Navy’s offense all year. Without them, the Navy’s Offense crumbles like Pillsbury Cookie. Jeff Monken and his defense have some readings to do.

Jeff Monken’s Army vs. Brian Newberry’s Navy game analysis

This is more than just a game—it’s a whole vibe. Army-Navy is the rivalry in college football. The Black Knights have dominated simulations, winning 66% of the time, and Jeff Monken’s squad is bringing the heat with that triple-option offense. With three backs behind QB Bryson Daily and 88% of their plays on the ground, it’s a ground-and-pound masterclass. But here’s the tea: The Navy’s defense has been shaky. They’ve struggled to stop the run in recent games, which is a red flag when facing an Army team that eats defenses alive on the ground. If the Navy doesn’t tighten up and stop the run early in the game, this could get ugly faster than a bad haircut.

That said, rivalry games are different. Army’s the favorite, sure, but Navy’s history in this matchup (66-55-7) isn’t just for show. Blake Horvath and Eli Heidenreich are the ultimate wildcards. If Horvath’s ribs are in place and Heidenreich goes into full beast mode, they could give Jeff Monken and Army’s defense a run for their oil money. But let’s be real—Rivalry doesn’t care about records and the past. The Army’s been too dominant to ignore.

Monken’s squad knows this isn’t just another game; it’s the game. Army coach Jeff Monken summed it up perfectly: “We’ve had a good year. You make it a great year by winning this game coming up on Saturday.” Prediction? The Army gets it done, but don’t be in awe if the Navy makes them sweat. Either way, buckle up—it’s gonna be one helluva run-game.