For the first time in 56 years, the drama, color, pageantry and sheer competitive passion of the annual Army-Navy game will be staged in Baltimore today.
The 101st renewal of this storied battle is set for noon at PSINet Stadium, with conditions entirely different from the last local showdown when, in 1944, the service academies were the top two ranked collegiate teams in the country.
Having fallen on much leaner times, Army and Navy will bring a combined 1-19 record into this meeting, with the Midshipmen (0-10) attempting to avoid only the third winless season in their football history and first since 1948, when their 0-8 team shocked the unbeaten Cadets with a 28-28 tie.
Despite the teams' lack of success on the field this season, the game will not lack for 60 minutes of intense, hard-nosed football - the trademark of the rivalry - or the military accompaniments (march-ons of the brigade and corps, constant cheering and razzing, Army mule and Navy goat) that make this game unique.
"It's like a backyard brawl between brothers," said Navy defensive end and co-captain Brad Wimsatt.
"There are an awful lot of highs and lows in this game," added quarterback Brian Broadwater, the other co-captain.
"This is a game you could take to a Kmart parking lot and it would be intense," said Navy coach Charlie Weatherbie.
"It's a one-game season," said Army co-captain Derrick Goodwin.
Navy's 28 seniors will attempt to punctuate their careers with their third victory in four years over Army, a team that has captured 10 of the last 14 games between the two academies and brings a fresh look to the battle in many respects.
The Black Knights (1-9) have re-designed their offense and defense under new coach Todd Berry.
They have also made amendments to their game uniforms, including a gray stripe on the jersey sleeves, the word "Corps" on the backs of their helmets, black shoes, the removal of the players' names from the backs of the jerseys, numbers on the shoulders and the addition of U.S. Army unit patches to the jerseys.
Berry has also instituted a helmet decal system that rewards military and academic performance.
It's all part of the new-look Cadets, who have responded well emotionally to the coach's emphasis on a more balanced attack, although the results have not yet shown up on the field.
"Without a doubt, we're happy with it," said co-captain Bryan Bowdish. "Especially being a wide receiver. The fact that we're throwing the ball more makes me more than happy."
Army is averaging 142 yards a game rushing and 179 passing after having junked its fierce loyalty to the wishbone that prevailed under former coach Bob Sutton.
"With the wishbone, the defense was controlling who would carry the football," said Berry. "We wanted the ball in [running back] Michael Wallace's hands."
Wallace has flourished despite the new emphasis on the air game, leading Conference USA in rushing.
"Things have changed at West Point. Week in and week out, we have to play at a high level. We needed to be more dynamic."
Conversely, Navy's approach remains unchanged. After leading the nation in rushing in 1999, the Midshipmen have steadfastly clung to the option offense that was so successful. But it hit the wall this year, with both rushing yardage and scoring being sliced almost in half.
As a result, the team couldn't get a sustained attack going for eight weeks and, when the offense finally broke through with a school-record 724 offensive yards against Tulane, the defense backtracked in a 50-38 defeat.
Navy has surrendered 99 points in its last two games, ranks dead last nationally in pass-efficiency defense and has allowed 36.3 points a game.
It has been a rough experience, especially for the senior Midshipmen.
"This season has been a nightmare," said Broadwater. "With all the off-field distractions [four suspensions of key players], it has taken a lot for me and Brad and the rest of the seniors to keep this team together. The fact that no one has really pointed fingers and everyone gives their all in practice has helped save the season."
Navy will get back offensive lineman Philip Yeh and linebacker Daryl Hill from injuries this week, and Weatherbie is sure to pull out a gimmick play or two to make things interesting.
"We have to do everything we can to be successful," the coach said with a smile. "Besides, the players enjoy those gadgets."
Army, which has 26 seniors, hasn't exactly been a pillar of defense, either, permitting 34.2 points and 444.9 yards a game to rank near the bottom of the Division I-A statistics. Its only victory ended a 10-game losing streak.
Still, all those numbers don't mean a lot today. This game is all about healthy competition, a keen understanding of the opposing players' daily routines and problems and worldwide bragging rights for one of the services.
"It's just mutual respect," said Navy offensive lineman Ron Winchester. "You know what Army's guy is going through and they know what we're going through. It's the same for all of us."
