They may have failed to win the biggest rivalry game of the year, but Army football players can still end their 2021 season on a high note with a win in tonight's Armed Forces Bowl.

The Black Knights (8-4), coming off a loss to rival Navy, meet 6-6 Missouri in tonight's game in Fort Worth, Texas. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.

It's the fifth bowl game in six years for Coach Jeff Monken's Army squad. The Black Knights' strength is in their run game via their traditional triple-option offense: Army has a college football-best 44 rushing touchdowns this season, and is second nationally in rushing offense at 284 yards per game. Missouri is 125th out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in run defense, allowing 229 yards per game.

Army quarterbacks Christian Anderson and Tyhier Tyler have seven rushing touchdowns apiece, while running back Tyrell Robinson has 603 yards rushing to top a list of 10 ball-carriers with at least 100 yards each.

The Tigers will be missing a key part of their offense. Missouri will be without running back Tyler Badie, who Tigers coach Eliah Drinkwitz decided to sit to preserve his NFL future after the senior set a school record with 1,604 yards rushing, which is third in the country. Missouri's recent revolving door of quarterbacks also continues, with Brady Cook starting at quarterback over Connor Bazelak, who started 11 games but has struggled with turnovers since getting injured against Vanderbilt and not starting the next game against No. 3 Georgia. Tyler Macon got the nod against the Bulldogs and also is in the mix.

“They’re talented enough in every area that we can’t really get into one quarterback or another quarterback,” Monken said. “Just really trying to have a defense that's prepared to defend them in general.”