Alright folks, live from the sidelines, we’re gearing up for a fascinating matchup at the Armed Forces Bowl: the Oklahoma Sooners taking on the Navy Midshipmen. This isn’t just another bowl game; it’s a clash of very different narratives.
First, let’s talk about Navy. They’ve had a historic year. Military academies often fly under the radar, except for the Army-Navy game, of course. But this year, Navy, along with Army, made some serious noise. As the report says, “Just like those undercard wrestlers, all it takes is one good run to catch the eye of the nation.” They gave Army a decisive defeat in their annual rivalry game, and they are looking to cap off a great season with a bowl win.
Now, on the other side of the field, we have the Oklahoma Sooners, who’ve had a rough first season in the SEC. Expectations were for a mid-tier finish, but they struggled. Only a last-minute win against Auburn and a victory over Alabama offered some bright spots. Coach Brent Venables has faced a tough year with injuries, losses, and coaching changes. And to add to that, their heir-apparent quarterback is heading to Auburn, and the transfer portal has significantly impacted their depth.
The report highlights a key issue for Oklahoma: “Salvaging this season with a bowl win won’t be easy, so Oklahoma has to bring its best.” But bringing their best is proving difficult. Several key players are opting out. We’re talking about Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, arguably their two best defensive players, who are preparing for the NFL Draft. Several seniors are also on the roster, but their participation is uncertain.
Offensively, things aren’t much brighter. The wide receiver room is almost empty due to transfers, leaving mainly freshmen to fill those roles, with the exception of tight ends Jake Roberts and Kaden Helms. The running back situation seems more stable, with Xavier Robinson, Gavin Sawchuk, and Taylor Tatum expected to get playing time. Michael Hawkins Jr. is likely to be the starting quarterback.
Let’s hear from Navy coach Brian Newberry, who commented on the challenges of preparing for this game: “It’s interesting. We’re going through their two-deep and trying to figure out who’s going to play and who isn’t. It’s a little bit of a challenge in that regard.”
Navy enters this game with a huge opportunity. With Newberry being an Oklahoma native, this game has some extra spice. Their players, mostly juniors and seniors who’ve played together for years, are incredibly motivated. Blake Horvath will lead the offense at quarterback, with Alex Tecza and Daba Fofana at fullback and Nathan Kent and Cody Howard as the main receiving targets. Defensively, Navy boasts an experienced squad of juniors and seniors.
The report sums up the situation for Oklahoma: “Oklahoma is being hammered from all sides right now. The transfer portal, Jackson Arnold, the NFL Draft, graduation, and more are creating very long odds for the Sooners.” It seems Coach Venables might already be focusing on 2025.
In contrast, Navy is having their third ten-win season in two decades and is looking to add another win in this game. The report also highlights the potential for an upset: “One more blow to college football’s powerhouse is that the SEC isn’t out of the question here. In fact, it’s the most likely option.”
But the report concludes with a positive outlook for Oklahoma: “The Armed Forces Bowl will be the first opportunity for the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners team to take the field. Win or lose, this will be a galvanizing experience for them and give us a glimpse into what 2025 has in store.”
This Armed Forces Bowl is shaping up to be a compelling contest with contrasting storylines. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to kickoff!
