Houston vs. Navy Prediction, Game Preview

The American West Division will be decided when the Houston Cougars (10-1) host the Navy Midshipmen (9-1) on Saturday afternoon. Check out the Houston vs. Navy prediction and game preview.

Houston vs. Navy Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Friday, November 27
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Network: ABC

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Why You Need To Care

Navy probably should have joined a league a long time ago.

After a lifetime of independence, Navy is one win away from appearing in the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship Game. It’s been quite a debut for the Midshipmen, whose only loss was to Notre Dame on Oct. 10. Since then, the Mids have won five in a row, including a turning point upset of Memphis at the Liberty Bowl. Standing in the Academy’s way of a crown—and possibly a Big Six bowl game—is Houston, which is coming off its first loss of 2015. The Cougars were stunned last week by Connecticut, 20-17, as the magic ran out following back-to-back close calls with Cincinnati and Memphis. Now, Houston must show it can rebound from adversity, or else all of its goals will have evaporated in the span of eight days.

Why Navy Will Win

The Midshipmen are humming … on both sides of the ball.

The running game out of the triple-option is Navy’s trademark. And slowing QB Keenan Reynolds, FB Chris Swain and the rest of a ground game that ranks second nationally is always demanding. But the Mids are raising the bar this fall because the defense is pulling more of the weigh than ever. Only Notre Dame has scored more than 21 points on Navy, which has been steady against the run and the pass. Additionally, Houston quarterbacks Greg Ward Jr. and Kyle Postma and RB Kenneth Farrow are all questionable with injuries.

Why Houston Will Win

The Cougars’ edge in speed will create headaches for the Midshipmen.

Houston opened the year with 10 straight wins in part because of its athletes on both sides of the ball. Yeah, Navy has playmakers, too. The Cougars are just more dynamic. Will Ward be available and fully healed from his ankle injury? We’ll see. If so, he’s the answer to Reynolds, with his ability to hurt teams with his arm and his feet. And Todd Orlando’s defense is chock full of Cougars who quickly get from sideline-to-sideline, like linebackers Steven Taylor and Elandon Roberts and DBs Trevon Stewart, William Jackson and Adrian McDonald. The option is a different animal, but Houston allows 3.2 yards per carry, creates a ton of turnovers and has the right personnel mix to frustrate the Midshipmen.

Player Who Matters

All eyes will justifiably be fixed on that Houston backfield, because the health of Farrow, Postma and especially Ward will go a long way to determining Saturday’s outcome. The Cougars are an entirely different team without Ward. And Ward is an entirely different operator with a hobbled wheel. Since his protection has been up-and-down in November, he’s liable to be an easier target this weekend for Navy linemen Will Anthony, Bernard Sarra and Amos Mason, who’ve all been better than their numbers in 2015.

What’s Going To Happen?

Even at home, there’s too much uncertainty surrounding Houston for this team to derail Navy’s title hopes.

At the most important time of the year, the Cougars and Midshipmen are traveling in different directions. Houston is hanging on, dealing with injuries and the emotion of last week’s crushing first loss. Navy, meanwhile, has amassed a head of steam, winning its last five by no less than a dozen points. The Mids will vex the Cougar D with their polished triple-option, while enhancing their reputation as one of the nation’s most underrated defenses. Navy is poised to handle Houston on the road and capture the West Division.