Army-Navy Game Near Thanksgiving Enhances College Football Schedule
The Army-Navy football game, a time-honored tradition, might be shifting from its usual December spot to Thanksgiving week. This idea has sparked a lively debate among coaches, officials, and fans.
Army coach Jeff Monken is pushing for the change, arguing it could boost the College Football Playoff (CFP) timeline and bring more attention to the game. On the other side, Navy’s athletic director Michael Kelly isn’t so sure—he worries about revenue and viewership taking a hit.
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Monken has floated the idea of moving the Army-Navy rivalry to Thanksgiving week. He thinks this could help the College Football Playoff wrap up earlier in January, which sounds pretty appealing for those tired of the season dragging on.
He doesn’t see a real reason for sticking to December, especially if Thanksgiving week could bring more excitement and eyes to the game.
Historical Context
Back in the day, the Army-Navy game was played in late November until the 1980s. It wasn’t until 2009 that it landed on the second Saturday in December every year.
Monken’s proposal would bring the game back in line with the traditional college football calendar, right as the regular season winds down.
Potential Benefits of the Schedule Change
Monken’s argument for a Thanksgiving week game comes with a few points:
- Increased Exposure: With its own TV window during Thanksgiving week, the Army-Navy game could pull a bigger audience. Monken’s thinking of a four-hour slot on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or that Saturday.
- Enhanced CFP Timeline: Moving the game could let the College Football Playoff start sooner and maybe finish up by early January. That might keep fans more engaged through the holidays.
- Tradition and Americana: Playing during Thanksgiving week—when family, football, and a bit of national pride are all in the air—could make the game feel even more meaningful.
Television Ratings and Viewership
Thanksgiving week is already a hot spot for college football ratings. For example, the Georgia-Georgia Tech matchup during that week hit an average of 8.7 million viewers, making it one of the weekend’s top games.
The Army-Navy game, played two weeks later, averaged 7.8 million viewers. Getting that exclusive Thanksgiving slot could bump those numbers up.
Challenges and Opposition
Still, not everyone’s on board. Navy athletic director Michael Kelly is especially skeptical. He’s worried that a move to Thanksgiving week could hurt revenue and sponsorships.
Kelly thinks the December date is actually better for maximizing both viewership and financial returns.
Revenue Concerns
Kelly’s big concern? Thanksgiving week is already packed with big games. That could mean less attention—and less money—for Army-Navy.
He’s worried about the competition cutting into advertising and sponsorship revenue.
Maintaining Tradition
There’s also the argument for tradition. The Army-Navy game has become a December ritual, and moving it might mess with the rhythm of the college football season.
Some fans say that unique December spot is part of what makes it special.
Impact on the College Football Playoff
One of the main reasons for the move is how it could affect the College Football Playoff schedule. Right now, CFP semifinals happen on New Year’s Day, with the championship in early January.
If Army-Navy moved to Thanksgiving week, the CFP could start sooner and maybe wrap up around New Year’s Day.
Proposed CFP Timeline
Here’s one way the playoff schedule could look if the Army-Navy game shifts:
- First Weekend in December: Conference championships.
- Second Weekend in December: First-round playoff games.
- Third Weekend in December: Quarterfinals.
- January 1: Semifinals.
- Early January: National championship.
Conclusion: Balancing Tradition and Innovation
The debate over moving the Army-Navy game to Thanksgiving week really shows the ongoing tension between tradition and new ideas in college football. Sure, pushing the game up could mean more exposure and better viewership.
It might also fit more neatly into the College Football Playoff schedule. But then again, there’s the risk of losing revenue and, honestly, messing with a tradition people care about deeply.
For more detailed insights and updates on this topic, you can read the full article on USA Today.
