The second of three annual service academy matchups takes place Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with Army hosting Air Force at Blaik Field at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. A victory for the Falcons would secure the Commander in Chief's Trophy for the first time since 2022, following their 14-9 win over Navy earlier this season in Colorado Springs.
Quarterback Uncertainty for Air Force
Air Force enters at 6-2 and bowl-eligible after beating UConn, but faces quarterback questions. Starter Evan Medders is dealing with a turf toe injury and missed the UConn game, thrusting freshman Howard Fisher into action. Fisher began the year as the third-stringer behind Liam Szarka, who is also injured. The Falcons have largely abandoned the passing game; Medders and Fisher have combined for just 23 pass attempts, 128 yards, and two touchdowns. The option attack relies heavily on the quarterback run, and any change raises concerns about read accuracy and ball security in a game where turnovers could be decisive.
Army's Dynamic Quarterback Cale Hellums
Army has no such uncertainty at quarterback. Cale Hellums leads the team in both passing and rushing, providing a dual-threat dimension that could create explosive plays against a defense ranked 83rd nationally in scoring defense and 80th in rush defense. In service academy games, where clock control and field position are paramount, Hellums' ability to break a long run or complete a deep pass could swing the contest in the Black Knights' favor.
Special Teams and Field Position Battle
Both teams boast strong punting units averaging over 47 yards per punt, with limited return yards allowed. Air Force has allowed only six yards on three punt returns over its last five games, while Army has surrendered 33 yards on six returns all season. In a low-possession game, a single punt return or coverage breakdown could prove as impactful as a turnover.
Prediction and Viewing Information
Despite both teams' tendencies to play higher-scoring games against other opponents, service academy matchups often defy trends. The SportsLine computer model, which is 80-77 on top-rated college football picks this season, projects the total to stay under 44.5 points. The game will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed via CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports App, and Paramount+ Premium.
