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Navy vs. Memphis prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Midshipmen and Tigers

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Navy vs. Memphis Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 22 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
TV Broadcast: CBSSN

Navy pulled off one of the season’s biggest upsets when they took down Houston. Their reward: a surprise bye week with the postponement of its game against ECU this past Saturday. With the extra rest and the big win behind them, the Midshipmen will continue to do what they do best: run the ball.

Memphis used a good outing from quarterback Riley Ferguson (236 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception) and an excellent defensive effort to take down Tulane. Now they must ready themselves for the triple-option attack that Navy is so proficient at.

What To Know About Navy

The Navy season could have been disastrous after the Midshipmen lost their starting quarterback Tago Smith in the season opener, but the team has gelled and, with the play of Will Worth in Smith’s spot, the offense has continued to purr like an engine. The number of weapons the rushing attack can throw at a defense makes it hard to stop.

The defense will look to put pressure on Ferguson and rattle him a little bit like they did Houston’s Greg Ward Jr., who threw two killer interceptions in the Navy upset.

What to Know About Memphis

If you are Ferguson, you are looking to give the ball to running back Doroland Dorceus any and every chance you get. Dorceus leads the Tigers with five rushing touchdowns. When passing, Ferguson will look toward wide receiver Anthony Miller, who leads the Tigers will 32 receptions.

Memphis shut down Tulane, but keeping the rushing attack of Navy is another animal. The Tigers are 39th in the country in rush defense, allowing just 140 yards per game.

Advantages

Offense: Navy. It has been run for over a century now, but no one has been able to figure out how to stop the triple-option on a consistent basis.

Defense: Memphis. Both teams are middle of the pack in total defense, but the Tigers are holding opponents to 19.3 points per game.

Special Teams: Navy. The Midshipmen are allowing just 50.8 yards on kickoff returns per game, good for No. 3 in the nation.

Coaching: Navy. Ken Niumatalolo has the Midshipmen ranked again despite the injuries.

Intangibles: Navy. After a bye week (and all the congratulations from their classmates), the Midshipmen will be ready to prove that the Houston game wasn’t a fluke.

Matchup To Watch

Memphis defense vs. Navy rush attack

No one is going to completely stop the Midshipmen rushing game, but slowing it down and forcing Navy to throw the ball just a little bit can make a big difference.

Navy vs. Memphis Betting Odds

Spread: Memphis -3
Over/Under: 56.5

Navy vs. Memphis Prediction

Navy has had two full weeks to receive all of the congratulatory messages from well-wishers, but the Midshipmen won’t be focusing on anyone but Memphis this week. Memphis will be able to frustrate the Navy offense just enough to keep them from controlling the time of possession, and Ferguson and company will score just enough to win this game. Memphis wins in a good one.

Navy vs. Memphis Score Prediction: Memphis 28, Navy 24

MORE: 1-128 College Football Rankings – Week 8