I played on the offensive line at West Point in the mid to late 90s. While I appreciate Ace’s breakdown of the offense, and agree with most of it, I think the analysis on cut blocking is off base. I do not believe that Army coaches illegal blocking. They are well aware of the rules and try to exploit what they can. Of course Army is looking for ways for smaller lineman to make effective blocks against bigger and stronger opponents. There is, however, a big difference between hitting someone in the upper thigh or waist while engaged versus the knee. The individual cuts on the interior are legal. Army had more problems last year with downfield cuts after the rule change. You may think the rules should change, but I disagree with the notion that Army is blocking illegally. The best lineman from two years ago, Toth, just got picked up by the Arizona Cardinals. Lineman that can only chop and cut don’t make NFL rosters. 

I’ve heard Monken talk before about injury statistics due to cut blocking. I suppose he could be wrong, but he has said that there is no real evidence to support higher injury rates. He also stated that it has never been the case with his own players at practice.

There are ways to defend a cut block. We used to cut our teammates all the time at practice, and the defensive lineman were good at using their hands. A cut block can be very ineffective if you whiff or the opponent can jump the cut. I would expect UM to be coached up and ready to go. 

Well played, Sir. Well played.

I played at Army in the 90’s and follow the team pretty closely. Finishing the season with another win over Navy, hoisting the CIC, a blowout of a short handed Houston team in the bowl game, and a national ranking was pretty nice relative to expectations last year.

In general, Monken has the program at the highest level since 1996. Entering year 6, I rarely hear anything even remotely negative said about him. The recruiting is finally outpacing USNA and USAFA, and the talent at both West Point and USMAPS (West Point Prep School) is outstanding versus norms. Hopkins is a legit option QB that can throw better than any recent Army QB I can think of. He tends to make really good decisions and takes care of the ball, but also sustains a lot of hits. Walker is a good RB/SB, but I think the running backs are largely interchangeable. They have a good system on offense and will usually execute it very well. Penalties (especially the chop block rule outside the tackle box) and turnovers take on even added importance as operating behind the chains is incredibly difficult for Army.

The loss of Brinson and Nachtigal on defense will really hurt. Nachtigal in particular was a playmaker. He gave the defense exactly what they needed. A third down sack, an interception, or a forced fumble. Army just has to be opportunistic on defense, which is what happened against Oklahoma (a game that cost me $50 to watch on PPV). 2-3 stops a game usually gives the offense a chance to win. 

My biggest issue with the Army football program is the schedule. I know it is tough to play as an independent, and there is likely not a lot of teams signing up to play them in the middle of a conference schedule, but they have to do better. Last year was a bad schedule, but 2019 is horrendous. That’s what makes the UM game even bigger. Army just might be favored in the rest of their games. They could play the entire season and I might not know how good they really are.

I really wish I could have seen Bush play against this offense. He might have had 30 tackles.

At this point, I see UM winning by 2 TDs. I just can’t imagine UM making the same mistakes that OU did. If UM comes out in a three man front and never stops the dive, then we’ll have a 4 quarter game. If UM stops the dive, it should be over by halftime. Duke forced some early uncharacteristic turnovers last year, got up early, and then forced Army into doing things they don’t do well. That is probably how this one will go too. 

This will be the first time I’ve ever rooted against UM. Realistically, I should just root for Army to cover the spread. But we’re really looking forward to being at the game and seeing what we can do.