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Promise me this: Once in your life, please try to make it to a football game at one of our service academies. I can't promise you a great game, but I can promise a great experience. Yes, even if Army football is involved.

Army-Navy is one of the sport's oldest rivalries. It hasn't been much of a rivalry lately, though. Navy has had Army's number, winning nine of the last 10 games, including today's contest, which Navy won 34-0. The Black Knights of the Hudson have really hit the skids. The last time they won more than four games in a season was in 1996, when they went 10-2.

Navy dominated today's game, which was basically over after Navy's first possession. The Midshipmen controlled the line-play on both sides of the ball. Paul Johnson may have taken his system to Georgia Tech, but he left behind his top assistant, Ken Niumatalolo, who hasn't missed a beat. Navy's triple-option offense still works beautifully, with both Shun White and Eric Kettani going for well over 100 yards of rushing. The real story is the dominance of Navy's defense, which held Army to seven first downs and 150 yards.

Okay, that's not the real story.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm saying I wouldn't like to have an athlete like Mitch Mustain around the Academy, but you can't be serious, can you? I mean this is a team which rarely ever picks up a three-star recruit, much less the Nation's premier blue chip quarterback after what has become a very convoluted situation Fayetteville.

It sure is weird, and it smells of complete fallacy, but what exactly in this whole situation hasn't been a little off-the-wall? For the past two days a conversation has been going on at the popular Navy football message board GoMids.com, where several posters claiming to be from Arkansas insist that Mustain is considering the Naval Academy. Now I realize 99% of what you hear on the Internet is cannon law, and that armchair fans would never have any reason to lie, but is anyone really taking this seriously? Case in point, a poster named deafnwsport05 is claiming to have spoken to Mitch in the library the other day, and that Mustain told him he was not only panning to apply to the Naval Academy, but is willing to change positions to accommodate Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku Enhada (!?!)

Alright, is it just me, or does that sound like complete bogus? I'm not exactly up-to-date on the whole Nutt/Mustain/Mustain's Mom situation, but I thought it was a given he'd follow Malzahn to Tulsa? I've got nothing against Mitch, but this rumor has about as little substance as Adam Ballard's Heisman campaign (although, God knows, I'd vote for the guy.) More proof that the Internet is a weird place I guess...

Navy picked up two-star receiver Jordan Delk today, after the 6'1, 160-lb wideout from Lyons, Georgia gave a verbal commitment to play for the Naval Academy. Delk caught 32 passes for 570 yards last season, in addition to rushing for 700 yards on 92 carries.

A simple google search digs up some information on Jordan, including a post at a Georgia message board which states that he picked off "eight or nine" passes as a cornberback. That same forum reports that a representative from the Air Force academy came to visit him today (offering him a scholarship?), and that things are "still up in the air." Take that with a grain of salt if you want, but either way it sounds like he's a great young man who has the versatility to make an impact on either offense or defense. In my biased opinion, I hope Jordan decides to stay with Navy.

Continuing on the recruiting front, it looks as though the Midshipmen are making a late run for St. Pius X running back Aaron Springer, who verbally committed to the Air Force Academy last month. If St. Pius X sounds familiar, it's because Navy brought in DL/LB Bayard Roberts from the New Mexico powerhouse last year (BTW- I've noticed that New Mexico has been producing some fine players the past few years). Springer is a phenomenal athlete who at 5'11, 175 runs a sub 4.5/40. He's been broadcast as one of the top players to choose Air Force this year, and if Navy could sway his interest it may be a huge recruiting coup pulled off against Navy's biggest rival. Only time will tell on this one...

As usual, any firsthand accounts or information regarding recruits is welcomed and encouraged.

Last year's stats in parenthesis and next year's class noted.

Projected Starting Outside Linebacker: Jr Clint Sovie (61 tkls, 1.5 for loss, 2 ints)

Projected Starting Inside Linebacker: Sr Irv Spencer (27 tkls, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles)

Projected Starting Inside Linebacker: Sr Jon Alvarado (3 tkls, 1 sack)

Projected Starting Outside Linebacker: Sr Matt Wimsatt (6 tkls)

Should Compete for Time: Jr Matt Humistan (10 tkls), So Ian Meredith (6'3, 225), Jr Mike Walsh (6'2, 234), So Zach Weatherington (6'4, 235), So Ross Pospisil (6'0, 205)

Need to Assert Themselves: Jr Will Scarle (6'4, 224), Sr Jordon Young (6'0, 210), Alex Horne (6'0, 217), So Jordan Eddington (6'0, 213), So Brian Smith (6'1, 210), Jr Scott Reider (6'0, 218), So Craig Schaefer (6'2, 202), So Matt Nechak (6'4, 221), So Stephen Tripp (5'11, 191), So Tony Haberer (6'1, 216)

2006 Review: Navy's linebacker corps was one of the most underrated in the entire country, leading a surprisingly good rush defense that helped the Mids win nine games. While Rob Caldwell (109 tkls) and Clint Sovie (61 tkls) anchored the inside, veterans David Mahoney (84 tkls, 7 sacks) and Tyler Tidwell (53 tkls, 5 sacks) excelled at outside linebacker. Tiwell, Caldwell, and Mahoney all depart this offseason.

Projected Starting Left End: Casey Herbert (one sack in '06)

Projected Starting Nose Gaurd: Nate Frazier (6'3, 295)

Projected Starting Right End: Chris Kahur-Pitters (6'2, 252)

Will Compete For Time: NG Andy Lark, DE Ryan Griffith (6'2, 260), NG Derek Rothchild (6'3, 256)

Rest of the Pack (AKA need to assert themselves): Artie Pauls (6'1, 233), Tyler Wagner (6'3, 233), Jordan Stephens (6'4, 255), John Maddox (6'4, 244), Andrew Burger (6'3, 230), Kyle Bookhout (6'2, 237), Bayard Roberts (6'2, 210), Mike McClarin (6'3, 230), Penetekoso Peau (6'1, 276), Michael Walsh (6'2, 234)

2006 Review: Despite being one of the smallest defensive lines in all of major college football, Navy's defensive line played better the expected in 2006. Led by seniors John Chan (63 tkls, 7 sacks), Tye Adams (45 tkls, 4 sacks), and David Wright (34 tkls, 1 sack), the Midshipmen defensive line helped lead a defense that was ranked a respectable 41st against the run in the country. While the unit struggled establishing a pass rush against the better teams on the schedule, they did nevertheless cause havoc to the likes of Temple and Duke by establishing penetration and blowing up plays. All three starters depart after this season, as well as backups Andrew Tatersall (4 sacks in '05) and Rick Amos (2 sacks.)

Projected Starting Fullback: Adam Ballard (792 yards, 5.1 avg, 3 TDs)

In the Mix: Eric Kettani (229 yards, 1 TD, 4.3 avg)

Rest of the Pack: Nic Jesse, Kevin Campbell, Patrick Shannon, Jack Hatcher, Glen Wood.

Projected Starting Slot Backs: Reggie Campbell (706 yards, 7.1 avg, 5 TDs) Shun White (578 yards, 12.0 avg, 5 TDs), Zerb Singleton (191 yards, 6.8 avg, 1 TD)

In the Mix: John Forbes (Did not play in 2006), Greg Shinego (13 yards), Bobby Doyle (11 yards)

On the Radar: Greg Garden, Cory Finnerty, Scott Oswald, Frank Rizzo, Luke Lagera, Ram Vela.

2006 Review: Ranked as the 13th best backfield in the country by Phil Steel magazine before the season started, Navy's backs did not disappoint in 2006, once again playing a huge role in an offense that finished first nationally on the ground. Adam Ballard, Matt Hall, and later Eric Kettani teamed up at the fullback position, with Ballard leading the way with 792 yards and 3 TDs despite being hampered by injuries all season. While Matt Hall started out strong, he ultimately relinquished his second string role to Eric Kettani, who came on strong at the end of the year and has a bright future ahead of him. The slotbacks were lead by both Reggie Campbell and Shun White, who bring big-play potential to the offense every time they touch the ball. While Zerb Singleton has started every game and contributed both running and blocking, the biggest surprise of 2006 was Shun White. White proved an excellent compliment to the speedy Campbell, averaging an insane 12 yards per carry. Senior Trey Hines provided quality depth as the fourth slot back, and played well when he saw time.

The University of Connecticut has decided to scrap it's upcoming football series with the Naval Academy, most likely because of an embarrassing 41-17 shellacking at the hands of "just Navy" last season. Both Bill Wagner of the Annapolis Capital and Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford Courant have written stories of the change, which Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuck confirmed early this week.

The series was to begin in 2007, in which the Midshipmen were scheduled to travel to Hartford on Nov. 10th and play three additional games up until 2010. However, the Huskies backed out of series, replacing Navy with Akron for 2007 while leaving the future dates open. Chet Galdchuck meanwhile has secured a home-and-away series with Bowling Green for 2007 and 2008, with the Midshipmen heading to the Ohio school in 2007. Bowling Green, if you are unaware, went 4-8 in 2006, and had the rather unfortunate privilege of losing to Temple.

This is a rather sudden change, but doesn't seem without reason. UConn has struggled to gain any kind of footing in the "new" Big East, and the last thing the Huskies need is to schedule a consistent non-conference opponent that is anything but an easy win. Chet Galdchuck said that UConn AD Chet Hathaway didn't give a reason for the cancellation, but the I think we all know Navy's rout of the Huskies last year had everything to do with it. While UConn was probably a good team for Navy to measure up against, the impending series with Bowling Green gives the Midshipmen a good chance to win amidst a difficult schedule which also includes Wake Forest, Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh.

Clear Favorite: Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku Enhada (23-48, 5TD, 1INT, 507 rush yards)

Main Challenger: Jarod Bryant (6-15, 42 yards, 86 rush yards)

Depth As Needed: Troy Goss (nine rush yards)

Still Developing: Greg Zingler, Michael Speciale

2006 Recap: Senior Brian Hampton had his ups and downs during the first six games of the year, but was really starting to come around as the quarterback everyone thought he would be by the time he sustained his season-ending knee injury against Rutgers. Kaipo-Noa came in and played well after the injury, but was obviously aided by an easier schedule which allowed him to make the most of his ability. Still, Kaipo played well enough against the likes of Notre Dame and Boston College to earn respect, and his knowledge of the offense cannot be overlooked. Jarod Bryant showed ability when he did get into games, but did not make the most of his chances, giving up the ball against both Notre Dame and Eastern Michigan. With six starts and significant time under his belt in two additional games, Kaipo-Noa is obviously the favorite for 2007.

Well, I fibbed. I knew I said yesterday that I wasn't going to make a big deal out the holding calls against Navy in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, but that was before I came across this video of Shun White's run on Youtube. Over the past few days I've been getting bombarded with questions from people I know in "real life" over the third and one call and the decision to pitch the ball at the end of the game, but I think the play we may want to be talking about is this one. Had Navy gotten the first down on the play (which they probably would have had the holding penalty on Cole Smith never been called) the game would likely have been over. My opinion is simple; yes, Cole Smith did get a piece of the defender, but was it really enough at that point in the game for the officials to take the play away? It's often said in important sporting events and situations to "let them play" and overlook minor penalties in the spirit of competition, and considering how the officials had called absolutely no BC holding penalties I thought they should have let this one go. But why listen to me, after all, I'm probably just a frustrated fan. Take a look for yourself...

EDIT: Apparently it was actually Matt Pritchett who was called for holding. Can't believe I missed that...

A final, although somewhat belated, look at the Meineke Car Care Bowl through the guise of stream-of-conscience talking points and random notes of interest. Enjoy!

Play-calling- From the toss sweeps to the inside slotback traps to the onside kick, I thought Johnson called a very intelligent game. Had BC's defensive line not given the kind of stand-up performance which it gave, I think Navy walks away with this game with a comfortable margin of victory. I don't think that's too bold of a statement when you consider that the inside running game was pretty much shut-down for the entire game, and even so BC had only marginal success shutting plays down at the edges. What can you say except they were just too big and athletic up front?

Ryan Glasper Should Play for the Ravens- Good God could this kid relax? It seemed like before and after every play-whether or not he even had anything to do with it- he would start dancing. I don't mind emotion at all (See David Mahoney) but his actions were borderline disrespectful, especially when he started jawing in Reggie Campbell's face after pushing him out of bounce. Look Ray Lewis, you didn't stop the guy for a ten yard loss, you fell on your face and pushed the guy out of bounce after a nine yard gain. Get over yourself.