Hmmm…I remember a really sharp Old Grad on a popular podcast that said we were going to smoke Colgate. Oh yeah, that was me. Smoke is relative, but we beat them handily. I was getting so sick and tired of everyone worrying about the tooth paste team. Colgate “left the gate open” as the Black Knights flooded them with almost as many points Saturday than they had surrendered all season! I heard repeatedly that we didn’t deserve to be in the Top 25 since we were scared to play Colgate. I replied to someone on Social Media that they may be scared, but the team wasn’t. I even tweeted at Ryan, the producer of the Dan Le Batard Show, after he laughed at Army, saying that Colgate would beat them straight up.

But enough grumbling, Army is 9-2 and now ranked in the Top 25 in both the Coaches and Associated Press Poll for the first time since 1996! An unprecedented achievement, that was no surprised to me. Although we got snubbed last week by the AP Poll, my the predictions this week were on point. My biggest take away was that when we needed to put the game away, we did. Too many times this season we have let teams creep back into games that we ultimately ended up winning in the final fleeting seconds. After the Army Team jump out to 21 points lead, Colgate got on the board after a Scoop and Score (more on that later). In the 4th Quarter the Red Raiders added their first and only offensive touchdown closing the gap to 21-14.  The game had just over nine minutes left and a strong Army drive could put the contest away. Anything less would give Colgate life. 7:20 later #DW2K iced the game on a 3 Yard Touchdown run, the 37th of his career. A full game summary can be found in Dan’s quick thoughts article.

We will provide more reaction and analysis from the Colgate game on the podcast so make sure to tune into that while you’re gobbling down some turkey. If you are a fan of our the superlatives (which are the original fabric of As For Football) please share the article! Readership on the Superlatives in particular has been trending down. Part of the reason I assume is the fact that we are putting out more than twice as many articles as we did early in the season, therefore giving readers more options. Readership in general has grown significantly, but…C’mon Man! Since I’m in the mode of asking, why don’t you go ahead and buy an Official Black Flag Football Shirt or Flag!

https://www.facebook.com/CenterStall/posts/10155595787166116

Everything is in collaboration with Academy Causal, ran by legendary prankster and the first interviewee on the podcast, Mike Nemeth. He has been doing this for over a decade, so the quality is extremely high and his company has a track record of on time delivery anywhere in the world (free shipping included). We hope to make enough from the our cut on this and future collaborations to pay for the As For Football operating costs (podcast hosting, website hosting, domain, etc). In two seasons here  I have yet to put up any ads. We would rather provide cool gear and hope get a few sponsors that match the brand and keep it authentic and clean. So if you know someone at a Company that might be interested in being a title sponsor let me know. Isn’t this the greatest alumni organization in the world? Now let’s try and make you laugh!

Superlatives:

Kell Walker and Kelvin Hopkins Jr. – Featured in Next Barrier 1 Defense System Promo

Kell we saw your desire for the endzone during your run in the Redzone on Saturday.  Defenders were bouncing off you as you still kept your feet! For your yards-after-contact demonstration, Barrier 1 Defense Systems (a Corps favorite at every home game) would like to feature you in their next promo.  Your ability to stop a defender with a full head of steam makes you a perfect candidate!

Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins will join as your co-star. He got absolutely destroyed on a blindside hit from Alec Wisniewski in the 3rd Quarter. He literally looked like one of the trucks in commercial. Unlike those unsalvageable vehicles, Kelvin got up and accounted for 44 more yards on the next two drives. 

Cameron Jones – Turnover Chain

We are still campaigning for the real Turnover Chain to make an appearance.  Until then, enjoy the this digital one for your 4th Down Fumble Recovery.  FYSA, the Army D has a +5 Turnover Margin so far this year.  That’s pretty good!

James Holland (Colgate RB #2) – Coach Bateman Nod

With 166 yards on 18 carries and 1 TD, you put on a rushing display that no other person and 9 Army opponents could not accomplish against the stout Army Defense.  That deserves some credit (to you and your offensive line). There was some speculation going into Saturday’s game concerning the Colgate strength of schedule. You guys proved to be worthy opponents on our favorite field of friendly strife.  Coach Bateman gives you an approving nod for giving the Defense a good look going into Navy week. Always good to have a dose of humility heading into a rivalry game.

Umpire Mike Morton – Complementary #BlackFlagFootball T-Shirt

Clearly, you wanted to get in on the action with the Army Team.  Standing in the midst of the action wasn’t enough. That was some sneaky officiating.  Ah, yes. It was just some coincidental positioning that you hindered the Colgate runners from breaking away into the secondary (wink wink).  Thanks for supporting the good guys! To replace the old spirit gear that I suspect you’re sporting under your stripes, please accept a complementary #BlackFlagFootball T-Shirt.  It’s the hottest gear this year.

Senior Class – Old Grad Funded Second Semester Firstie Tab

In honor of Senior Day, we have to brag a little about this year’s Senior Class.  For those who don’t know, they have 29 career wins (with 2 games left to play), 4 Service Academy wins (with 1 left to play #BeatNavy), 2 Bowl wins (with 1 left to play #NY6), and CIC Champs for 2 years (1 year undisputed and 1 game to play).  It truly has been a privilege watching you guys play ball! For that, Old Grads everywhere have decided to fund an open Firstie Tab for your second semester. Live it up! Buy plenty of pitchers. But, make sure you all walk across the stage next May. 

Whole Team – #23 Lunch Formations

Army has not been ranked since 1996. That’s 22 years ago. Army is ranked…#23 (missed it by that much). Either way you all deserve the national recognition going into the best game of the year.  The Commandant recognizes the uniqueness of this situation and has ordered all lunch formations to form into #23’s this week. However, we are not set on the #23. The ranking will only get better with a dominating win over Navy and a Bowl victory.  So, keep it up! Enjoy some Turkey knowing you all are one of the best teams in the nation. We look forward to the two remaining games for this outstanding Army Team.

Next Up:

Navy in Philly, but we have a couple bye weeks to sit back and enjoy our national ranking! In the meantime we will be running a few Army and College Football Roundtable Articles (Not Army), so watch out for those. The podcast will be dropping this and next week. We have plenty to talk about with the rankings and bowl season coming up! If you missed last week you can check it out here (and in lots of places including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Overcast, Facebook, and Youtube). Please subscribe like, comment, share, and rate! I will say it again, we are living and dying by the fan feedback!

Beat NAVY! Rest.