Army-Navy Game 2011: What Hex Have the Midshipmen Had for 10 Years

For the 10th consecutive season, the Navy Midshipmen defeated the Army Black Knights. The final score in this one was 27-21, closer than any game in the past decade.

With 10 straight wins, Navy has now taken a 53-49 lead in the all-time series. A rivalry that used to be very evenly matched has become lopsided in the past decade.

As a game that was first started in the late 1800s, this is one of the oldest rivalries in any sport. But there has never been dominance over a 10-year span like Navy has dominated since 2001. What is it, then, that has been the reason for the demise of Army in recent years? It almost seems like a hex has been placed on the Black Knights.

While a few games over the past 10 years have been close between these two teams, most have been blowouts. This year's six-point defeat was the closest that Army has been since their last win all the way back in 2001.

The hex can be attributed mainly to one thing: talent. Simply put, Army has not had as much talent in recent years like they did in the '90s, where they won seven of the 10 games.

Could it really be possible that Navy has somehow cast some type of spell on Army? While that is obviously not the case, Army certainly finds themselves looking for explanations and will have to wait another season to try and get a win.

Perhaps the change in venue could be the reason for the dominance. The game historically was played at Veterans Field in Philadelphia, but has not been played there since 2001, Army's last victory. The new stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, has since taken its place, and Army is obviously yet to adapt.

So, perhaps its the new field that is causing the hex? Who really knows? Either way, Army needs to figure something out or the dominance of Navy will continue.