Army 30
Rice 21

https://www.armytimes.com/articles/army-west-point-football-prayer-jeff-monken-mikey-weinstein

Saw the post-game video on FB and was wondering if it would cause a stir.

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No one breaks it down better than GBK's Gordon Larson, but let's also hear your thoughts on the contest as well.

What temp is the dial at usually? Does it change by season or time of day?

• During the summer 74 upstairs, 76 downstairs

• During the winter 70 downstairs, 68 upstairs

Letting FRIs victory settle a bit, I'm thinking that's the best win I've seen since the 96 era in terms of play on both side of ball and quality of opponent. Special Teams were only highly suspect facet. Moreover it was season opener on road.

Just an idle fan with no inside knowledge of team so won't pretend to assess anything beyond my bubble. So, how much can one game tell you about a team/program/season?

I'm leaning towards this being a "signal victory" and don't think I'm alone on that one on the board. I also have stated that beating Temple would set us up for a special season.

But as a long suffering Army fan I'm always on high alert for the let-down. Aside from the obvious - a win, what are opinions on what we must see on the field next weekend to reinforce notion program has turned that corner.

Here are my thoughts:
- Fullbacks continue to chew up yards showing that core of offense is legit
- Clean play. No TOs and few penalties
- No soul crushing long runs or passes by enemy.
- Variation in play calling that shows we have a more dimensions in playbook that we will exploit as season builds.
- Fast start. No sluggishness out of the blocks.

Am and have been in camp that these things take time. Know that there will be frustration this season not unlike others. But for the first time in 20 years I'm imbued with a real sense of confidence in this team.
Even in 2010 I would not have been surprised if we won by 30 or lost by 30. Just have that lingering concern of fan overconfidence given that it's one win.

The Bradshaw/Carter debate and the debate around 2 QBs seems to be a hot topic on the 12th Knight. What I observed this weekend from around the world of college football is that a lot of schools are using the first game as a final "toll gate" in their QB competitions.

- I'll leave Army out of this and just use examples from around D1 of how different schools use multiple QBs to be effective and show that Army isn't off base with using 2 QBs, especially early in the season or situationally.

- UGA used their veteran, Grayson Lambert early. Upon inserting the #1 QB recruit in the nation, Eason, it was clear that even as a true freshman, the moment wasn't too big for him and he is the QB of the future AND the present for the Dawgs. My prediction is Eason sees the vast majority of snaps as the season progresses.

- Auburn was a hot mess. I have NO idea what Malzahn was trying to do with 3 QBs, especially in the middle of a drive/series. If someone can explain this logic to me, I'll be happy to listen. Auburn looks like a team grasping for straws on a sinking ship.

- ND started Kizer and Zaire interchangeably in the first half, but then it became clear that Kizer will be their #1 the rest of the way. He's better.

- Bama even flirted with using 2 QBs until it became clear that Hurt (?) the true freshman is a dual threat stud who will be really hard to stop.

- IMO, Texas has the best handle on using 2 QBs. They use Swoopes and the freshman, Buechelle, situationally with Buechelle being the better passer (clearly), and Swoopes being the "18 wheeler" package QB. ND and Van Gorder had no answer for these two all night.

So, while most pundits and "analysts" (and fans) hate 2 QBs, it can be done properly especially when they have 2 completely different skill sets like at UT. In other places, I think coaches wanted to see how their kids would perform under the bright lights and now have made their decisions. In other cases (Gus Malzahn I'm looking at you), the coaches just appeared incompetent.

The other trend that has become glaringly obvious (and some fans are going to have to get used to) is how ready to go some of these true Freshmen are. Buechelle, Eason, and the kid from Bama were the stars of the weekend. What has become apparent at big time programs across the country is that the best kid plays...period. Many times the best kid is an 18 y/o straight out of HS. A lot of kids are graduating HS early and getting a semester in at college so they can attend spring practice. While we don't have this advantage, our equalizer is USMAPS.

Thoughts?

Did anyone go to this game? Without names, how did the prep team look?

West Point (NY): To be honest, these are unchartered waters for the Army Black Knights, at least that can be said 6 or 7 years, where Jeff Monken’s team will walk into Michie Stadium on Saturday with a 1-0 record after coming off a sound 28-13 victory over Temple Owls on the road.

The unchartered waters is the fact that the 3rd year head coach not only will have to his team prepared physically, but also emotionally.

Although this a seasoned squad, it is also a group of players who have an opportunity to start the season at 2-0, in front of an anticipated home crowd for the first home game of the 2016 campaign.

Today, the Army head coach spoke to and met with the press this afternoon as the Black Knights’ prepare for their 2nd consecutive Owl encounter .... this time with the Rice Owls with kickoff at 12pm.

CLICK HERE FOR PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO - Of course, comments, questions and thoughts are welcome regarding today pre-game press conference.

Of course, your comments, questions and thoughts are welcome regarding today’s pre-game press conference

Any score from the game????

Name the 4 major college programs to have a Heisman winner and a President! Extra credit: name the one add'l FCS school.

Fordham has a lot of size and speed as we know. They eyeball test doesn't show much of a difference with Navy. But Navy is much more confident in their system and very disciplined. Fordham has a 32 yr old head coach and are in the pistol every play. Navy is gashing Fordham with the FB. 35-10 nearing half.

**The big development is their starting QB T Smith is out with a serious injury. Wearing a large knee brace on the side line. Back up Will Fuller is in. M Perry a freshman plebe has been pulled out of the stands as their was no 3rd stringer dressed.

Watching UT/ND right now. Thinking Texas is happy they didn't fire Strong in year 2 of his rebuilding project at Texas. Thinking by the end of JM's third year, Army fans will be happy we didn't pull the trigger.

Most rebuilds take 3-5 years.

This is one that we have been waiting for, because of Thyrick Pitts solid upside as a player. He initially narrowed his list down to four schools, which were Army, Navy, Richmond and William & Mary.



Then it was just two ... Army and Richmond. He will officially be making his announcement today and honestly, we were prepared for to have an GBK commitment article on his decision to become the newest member of the Black Knights’ 2017 Recruiting Class. However, he informed us yesterday, along with talking to the Army coaching staff that he will be attending Richmond.