NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, November 7, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Stadium: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.
Line: MEM (-8)
This is the first season that Navy has not been competing as an Independent after joining the American Athletic Conference earlier this year. Thankfully, the change has been good for the Midshipmen who have only lost one game to a No. 15-ranked Notre Dame (41-24).
Navy finished the 2014 season 8-5 and with a bowl win over the San Diego State Aztecs (17-16). Behind eighth-year coach Ken Niumatalolo, the Midshipmen are 4-0 in conference play and boast an average margin of victory of 20.5 points.
This will be the two teams’ first meeting, but Memphis is undefeated so far this season. The Tigers are ranked fourth and seventh in the FBS for points (47.9) and yards (560.3) per game, respectively, and pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football this season.
Memphis beat a No. 13-ranked Ole Miss 37-24 behind QB Paxton Lynch’s 384 passing yards and three TDs. The win shot Memphis into the top 25, and the Tigers haven’t looked back. With the help of RBs Doroland Dorceus (seven TDs) and Jamarius Henderson (6.3 yards per carry), Memphis’ offense should have no problems against Navy’s 74th ranked defense (349.6 yards allowed per game).
But even if Navy’s defense can somehow slow Lynch down, something even Ole Miss couldn’t do, it’s unlikely that Navy QB Keenan Reynolds will be able to compete. Reynolds only has 431 passing yards this season; Lynch averages close to 340 yards per game.
It might look close to Vegas, but from where Lynch is standing, Navy doesn’t have a chance.
Prediction: Memphis 48, Navy 34
Hannah Fields is a Tennessee Titans and College Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @hanfran7, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
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