Army hosts Air Force at Michie Stadium on Saturday night with the Commander in Chief's trophy on the line. The Falcons, 6-2 and bowl-eligible, can claim the trophy for the first time since 2022 with a win over the Black Knights.
Quarterback uncertainty for Air Force
Air Force faces quarterback questions after Evan Medders missed the win over UConn with a turf toe injury. Freshman Howard Fisher, originally the third-stringer, started in his place. The Falcons have largely abandoned the passing game since starter Liam Szarka went down, with Medders and Fisher combining for just 23 pass attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns. The option attack relies heavily on the quarterback run, and any change raises concerns about read accuracy and ball security.
Army's dynamic quarterback Cale Hellums
Army has no such uncertainty at quarterback. Cale Hellums leads the team in both passing and rushing, providing a dual-threat dimension. The Black Knights' defense has struggled, ranking 83rd nationally in scoring defense and 80th in rush defense, but Hellums' ability to create explosive plays could offset those deficiencies.
Special teams and field position
In a matchup of option offenses, field position is critical. Both teams boast punters averaging over 47 yards per punt and have limited return yards allowed. Air Force has allowed just six yards on three punt returns in its last five games, while Army has given up 33 yards on six returns all season. A breakdown in punt coverage could prove as costly as a turnover.
Prediction and viewing information
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 7, at Blaik Field at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. It will be televised on CBS and streamed on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports App, and Paramount+ Premium. SportsLine's computer model, which is 80-77 on top-rated college football picks this season, projects the total to stay under 44.5 points.
