a rare exception.
The Navy game, (and military academy games in general) have been far, far more difficult than given credit for as ND, OSU, Nebraska, UM, and others can attest given the precisely run option gimmick offenses that they ran which is something the teams don't otherwise run into, and have a very hard time preparing it's players to defend at real speed.
The recent rule changes of just a year ago on cut blocks away from the ball has markedly hindered their effectiveness, so I doubt that the academies will still remain the same threat going forward, but it is quite unfair to compare Navy to a nonpower 5 team in the years in question.