For the Army: Defeat the Navy. For the Navy: Defeat the Army.

With the college football landscape rapidly changing, the importance of this mid-December matchup adds a dose of tradition amid all the talk of the transfer portal and the new expanded playoffs.

“We had a good year. You make it a great year by winning this game on Saturday. Honestly, that’s just how it works here,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “It’s a game and a season in itself. We make no apologies for talking about it all the time. We talk about it all the time, 365 days a year.”

The 125th matchup between Army and Navy takes place on Saturday in Landover, Maryland, and while these two programs are no longer capable of winning national titles and Heisman trophies, this is a historic moment in the rivalry. The Black Knights and Midshipmen have combined for 19 wins this season, the highest total ever in the game.

Army (11-1) is ranked 19th in the AP poll after defeating Tulane last week to win the American Athletic Conference, its first league title ever in the team’s 134-year history. Navy (8-3) was also ranked earlier this season after starting with six straight wins.

“I knew we were going to be a better football team,” Navy coach Brian Newberry said. “I didn’t know exactly what it would look like. I think we’ve definitely improved in a lot of different areas. I’m excited about the season we had.”

Common opponents

This was Army’s first season in the AAC, with the Black Knights and Midshipmen playing in the same league, although their annual matchup is considered a non-conference game. For a time there was a possibility that the teams could meet twice, with a meeting for the conference championship before the regular Army-Navy game, but that did not happen.

Their most prominent common opponent came from outside the league. Notre Dame handed both Navy and Army their first defeats, beating the Midshipmen 51-14 and the Black Knights 49-14.

Within the AAC, both teams beat Temple, UAB and East Carolina. Army defeated Tulane and Rice and Navy lost to those two teams.

Army and Navy each won their non-conference game against Air Force.

Trophy time

These victories over the Air Force mean that the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy this season comes down to the Army-Navy game. It is the first time since 2017 that both teams go into this game with a chance of winning the cup.

It’s also the first time since 2017 that both teams enter the game with bowl bids secured. Navy will face Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl and Army will face Marshall in the Independence Bowl.

Back in Maryland

This year’s Army-Navy game will be played at the Washington Commanders’ home stadium in Landover. It also took place there in 2011.

This is the first time the game will be played in Maryland since Baltimore in 2016. Baltimore is also next in 2025.

Chasing a record

Army quarterback Bryson Daily has scored 29 rushing touchdowns this season, tying him for the FBS lead with running back Ashton Jeanty, Boise State’s Heisman finalist.

Only one QB in FBS history has thrown more touchdowns in a season than Daily. That was Navy’s Keenan Reynolds at 31 in 2013.

“You come here to play in this game. The biggest stage possible, millions of spectators and a sold-out NFL stadium. It’s great,” Daily said. “None of the games that came before are significant. We’re going into this game like we’re 0-0, they’re 0-0, because that’s how you have to come into this game.”

Decisive

Navy’s closest game this season – win or lose – was a 56-44 victory over Memphis. The Midshipmen are the only FBS team to not have a game decided by eight or fewer points this season.

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AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

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