Army’s 9-0 Season Sparks Debate Over Respect, Playoff Rankings Spot

The 9-0 Army Black Knights spark debate over their rightful College Football Playoff rank. Analysts clash on respect, legitimacy, and their undefeated season's worth.

Nov 9, 2024; Denton, Texas, USA; The Army Black Knights celebrate in the locker room after a 14-3 victory against the North Texas Mean Green at DATCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images / Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Army Black Knights have carved an unbeaten path to a 9-0 record this season, which has reignited pride within their ranks and stirred division among college football’s most prominent analysts. Their flawless campaign, marked by relentless grit and historical echoes of their legendary 1940's teams, has become a flashpoint of debate over their rightful place among the nation's elite.

On one side of the divide stands ESPN’s Joey Galloway, unwavering in his belief that the Black Knight's achievements have been dismissed far too easily. To Galloway, the College Football Playoff committee’s decision to bump the Black Knights from No. 25 to just No. 24 in the latest rankings is emblematic of deeper disrespect.

"Army is being disrespected," Galloway said. "Army is undefeated. If Indiana is being disrespected, Army is being disrespected."

For Galloway, the Black Knights’ historic season isn’t merely a Cinderella story; it’s proof that they deserve more than a passing glance in the playoff conversation.

In sharp contrast is Greg McElroy, whose measured skepticism offers sobering counterpoint. For McElroy, the Black Knights record is undeniably impressive on paper but raises questions about the quality of competition.

“Not sold on Army,” McElroy declared as he pointed to their best win against a .500 team. To him, the Black Knights’ dominance carries an asterisk—a reminder that the path to perfection matters as much as the final record itself. His critique isn’t rooted in disdain but a belief that the spotlight shining on Army must come with scrutiny, especially in a playoff era where every ranking slot carries weight.

Army’s status as a newly minted member of the American Athletic Conference adds another layer of intrigue, as they now battle not just for wins but for legitimacy against a backdrop of historical biases. Head coach Jeff Monken’s mastery of the triple-option offense has made them the nation’s top rushing team and their victories have been emphatic.

But even as they dominate the field, the debate surrounding their ranking refuses to quiet.

The stakes for the Black Knights couldn’t be higher. An upcoming clash with the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish looms as a their biggest test of the season.

A win against a Top 10 opponent would be undeniable—leapfrogging Boise State in the ‘Group of 5’ hierarchy and making Army a legitimate contender for the playoff bid reserved for the top-seeded non-power conference team. For now, they remain in a precarious spot, caught between validation and skepticism.

As Army prepares for this critical stretch, their journey highlights a truth that resonates across college football: winning is essential, but earning respect is a battle of its own.