What League is Navy Football in?
The Navy football team, also known as the Midshipmen, is a collegiate football program that competes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. Specifically, the Navy football team is a part of the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision), which is the highest level of college football in the United States.
History of Navy Football
The Navy football program has a rich history, dating back to 1890 when the team played its first game against St. John’s College. The team has won numerous championships, including four National Championships, and has a strong rivalry with the Air Force Academy and the Army.
Conference Affiliation
The Navy football team is a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which is a collegiate athletic conference consisting of 12 member schools. The AAC was formerly known as the Big East Conference and was renamed in 2013.
FBS Schedule
The Navy football team plays a 12-game regular season schedule, which typically starts in late August or early September and ends in mid-November. The team typically plays a mix of conference games against AAC opponents and non-conference games against teams from other conferences.
Key Games and Rivalries
Some of the most significant games on the Navy football schedule include:
• Army-Navy Game: This is an annual rivalry game played between Navy and the United States Military Academy (Army).
• Air Force-Navy Game: This is an annual rivalry game played between Navy and the United States Air Force Academy.
• AAC Championship Game: The Navy football team competes against other AAC teams to win the conference championship.
Season Structure
The Navy football season is structured into three phases:
- Preseason: The team holds practice sessions and training camps to prepare for the upcoming season.
- Regular Season: The team plays 12 games, with conferences games and non-conference games.
- Postseason: The team competes in the AAC Championship Game and/or the Bowl Game, if eligible.
College Football Playoff (CFP)
The Navy football team is not currently eligible to participate in the College Football Playoff (CFP), as the team is not a part of the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC). However, the team can still compete in the Bowl Game and/or the AAC Championship Game.
Bowl Game and AAC Championship Game
If the Navy football team finishes the regular season with a winning record, it will be eligible to compete in the Bowl Game. The team has appeared in numerous bowl games, including the Military Bowl, the Pinstripe Bowl, and the Army Bowl.
Roster and Coaching Staff
The Navy football team has a roster of over 100 players, consisting of scholarship players and walk-on players. The team is led by head coach Ken Niumatalolo, who has been at the helm since 2008.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Navy football team competes in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and is a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The team has a rich history, strong rivalries, and a challenging schedule. While the team may not be eligible to compete in the College Football Playoff, it can still participate in the Bowl Game and/or the AAC Championship Game.
