Army football: Good reason for excitement at West Point
USA Today released their spring top 25 college rankings Monday. Army football checks in at number 20.
The words Army Football and preseason top-25 haven’t gone together much in their history. They get a pass though since the goal of The United States Military Academy is to produce wonderful young men and women who lead our troops. However, this year Army gets a little bit of a facelift and finds themselves ranked in USA Today’s early preseason polls as the number 20 team in the country.
They are ahead of huge programs like Nebraska, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Boise State, and Baylor to round off the top 25. The reason they are in this position is due to their 12-win season last year which ended with a 70-14 thrashing of Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Favorable Schedule
The Black Knights don’t have the hardest schedule in the world this season for a highly ranked team. They do have a huge matchup in week two again Jim Harbaugh and Michigan at the Big House that will be their test. That game will determine just how special their season will be. Lose that game and they might have a nice season but it won’t be one that has a chance at something seriously special.
Player to Watch
Last years Armed Forces Bowl MVP, quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. will look to continue his dominance in Conference USA. In that bowl game against Houston, he only attempted three passes. Those passes were all for completions however for 70 yards. Where Hopkins did his damage was on the ground. Hopkins had 11 carries for 170 yards which resulted in five touchdowns.
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It was an insane performance that showcased his escapability and ability to be considered almost a second running back on the field at all times. He has also proved at times that he can be a successful passer. He had a 55% completion percentage last year while only having six touchdowns. Those stats aren’t great but he showed that he could do it.
His lack of lofty passing stats came from the fact that in coach Jeff Monken’s Army football offensive scheme, the QB ran the ball far more than he passed it. In 2018, Hopkins had 208 rushing attempts for 1078 yards and 17 touchdowns. If he can continue his running success but improve through the air, this team could be extremely deadly this year. Additionally, that kind of season will garner him some favor among Heisman voters.
For the Fans
Feel free to feel excited Black Knight fans. You have experienced the leanest of years by only have been to eight bowl games in your history. Before 2017, they hadn’t won ten games since 1996 when Bob Sutton was the head coach.
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Feel free to dream the dream and say that your Black Knights are going to the College Football Playoffs. It’s something you’ve been waiting to have the opportunity to say for years. Take advantage of this while you can. I know I would.