The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy will be on the line Saturday when Air Force and Army travel to Arlington, Texas, for the second leg of the three-way trophy battle. The Falcons can clinch a victory in the three-way competition among the three service academies, as they beat Navy 23-3 on Sept. 11. Air Force is 6-2, but lost its most recent matchup against No. 24 San Diego State. 

Army is having another solid season, but has lost three straight games. The latest was an electric 70-56 shootout against No. 9 Wake Forest in what was one of the best games of the season. The Black Knights’ other two losses are against 5-4 Ball State and No. 21 Wisconsin. 

Air Force holds a dominant 37-17-1 advantage in the all-time series against Army, but the rivals have not played a neutral site game since Nov. 6, 1965 in Chicago. Army edged Air Force 10-7 in 2020 as running back Jakobi Buchanan rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown. 

Army vs. Air Force: Need to know

CIC’s Trophy history: The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is one of just two FBS trophies that is part of a three-way series. The only other such rivalry trophy awarded every year is the Michigan MAC Trophy, between Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Central Michigan. Air Force has not won the highest academy football honor since 2016, but it leads all three institutions with 20 wins. Navy is second with 16 wins, while Army has nine. However, the Knights have won three of the last four years. 

Dynamic runner: Air Force junior running back Brad Roberts is having a breakout season as the Falcons’ feature back. Roberts — who hails from Arvada, Colorado, just 80 miles down the road — has rushed for 100 yards five times in eight games and ranks No. 16 nationally in rushing yards per game. No other service academy rusher ranks in the top 70. Option offenses like to spread things around on the ground, but Air Force has one of the most dependable workhorse backs in the nation. 

Stingy defense: While the Black Knights got into a wild shootout in their last game, they typically have been known for defense. Only one other opponent — high-powered Western Kentucky — scored more than 30 points against this defense. Outside of Wake Forest, opponents are averaging just 275.2 yards per game. Linebacker Andre Carter II ranks top-five in the nation with 8.5 sacks, along with 19 tackles, two quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

How to watch Army vs. Air Force live

Date: Saturday, Nov. 6 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
Location: Globe Life Field — Arlington, Texas
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)

Army vs. Air Force prediction, picks

Featured Game | Air Force Falcons vs. Army West Point Black Knights

Things often get interesting when two option offenses get together and this should be no different. Army’s defense will be prepared for the unique wrinkles of a Troy Calhoun offense, but the Falcons have more firepower. Air Force has a chance to capture the Commander-in-Chief Trophy for the first time in five years. Don’t expect them to waste it. Prediction: Air Force (-2.5)

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