Navy Gets Shot at History Vs Ohio State

This is how cheesy sports movies are made.  A classic David vs. Goliath story of a team defying all odds to emerge victorious in a hostile environment. 

You can count on someone in the stadium starting a slow clap, with tens of thousands slowly joining in.  The cacophony grows until the underestimated underdog marches off the field, hands held high, hoisting their tough-love coach in the air.  Freeze frame, and fade to black and white to a soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. 

Our story starts on the banks of the Severn River, with a practice field overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.  There, in the stifling summer humidity and unforgiving sun, undersized athletes from all over the country meet to sweat on the field of friendly strife.  Walk-ons and recruited stars from small high schools find themselves on the same field, working to earn a starting roster spot.

A weathered, tanned coach stalks the sidelines and stops to occasionally correct a young man’s form or stance.  A lone whistle hangs from his neck, a clipboard clenched in his palm and a visor on his head to the midday sun out of his squinting eyes.  Only one day is on his mind, a day in the not-too-distant future where his boys will need to summon every ounce of strength, training, and heart to defeat their foe. 

The nation is behind this team, yet they are doubted on every level.  They are too small, too weak, too slow, too inexperienced.  They will surely be out-matched, out-coached, out-hustled, out-played and eventually, out-scored.  The team’s mere presence on the field come gameday will be laughable.  It will be said that they don’t belong there.

Perhaps the match was set for national exposure, for money, or as a warm-up for the champs.  Whatever the reason, the game is on the schedule and after sixty minutes, a winner will be decided.  Pregame odds appear insurmountable, and the victory is practically pre-registered in the “win” column for the champs.

More than likely, the game will be a typical beat-down of a lesser foe by a national powerhouse.  It will be Michael Jordan vs. Everybody Else, Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France, Tiger Woods vs. the field or Wayne Gretzky vs. any goalie.  SportsCenter will air thirty seconds of highlights, only to project the predicted winner in early-season glory.

However, what if our story is an instant classic?  What if, like in every Disney movie, the underdog emerges victorious and the average Joes upset the superstars?  Instantly the outcome will gain national attention and will be mentioned in the same breath as Appalachian State/Michigan or the Miracle on Ice.

Such is the opportunity that lies before the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy as they take the field against Ohio State on Saturday.  The matchup is laughable to college football experts, and only a fool would put money on Navy to pull off the impossible.  Ohio State has clearly scheduled the game as an early-season exhibition that will count toward their win total. 

The only place hope resides is on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy.  The student body is not delusional; they are realists who understand the task their team faces.  However, if anyone believes an upset of titanic proportions can occur, it’s the Midshipmen.  After all, only two years ago they accomplished what was then considered impossible by beating Notre Dame after 43 straight losses.  The motto then remains their motto today:  “I believe that we will win.”  

So put your money on Ohio State.  Expect a double digit victory by the Buckeyes.  But don't be surprised when the boys in blue and gold call on the ghosts of Roger Staubach and Rip Miller to pull off the greatest upset this season in college football.