Memphis at Navy- 11/28/20 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Navy Midshipmen (4-3) vs Memphis Tigers (5-2)
Game Info: Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 7:00 pm (Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium)
Betting Odds: Navy Midshipmen +14 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: TBD Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Memphis Tigers will travel to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to take on the Navy Midshipmen this Saturday night in College Football action.
The Memphis Tigers improved to 5-2 (3-2 AAC) on the season after defeating the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, 56-14, this past Saturday. Memphis led by just a 20-14 margin at halftime, however, had no trouble putting up points on the scoreboard throughout the 2nd half and pulled away after taking a 42-14 lead early in the 4th quarter. Memphis outgained Stephen F. Austin by a 574-224 margin and forced two turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Tigers was WR Calvin Austin III who had 10 receptions for 173 yards.
On the season, Memphis is averaging 36.4 ppg on 517.9 total yards per game (342.4 passing yds/g; 175.4 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Memphis has been led by QB Brady White who has completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,397 yards, 23 TD, & 6 INT. The top receiving threats for the Tigers and White have been Calvin Austin III (46 rec, 820 yards, 7 TD), Sean Dykes (36 rec, 474 yards, 6 TD), Tahj Washington (22 rec, 448 yards, 5 TD). Leading the way for the Tigers backfield has been the duo of Rodrigues Clark (117 att, 500 yards, 2 TD) and Kylan Watkins (69 att, 384 yards, TD).
Defensively, Memphis is allowing their opponents to average 32.6 ppg on 476.9 total yards per game (345.4 passing yds/g; 131.4 rushing yds/g).
The Navy Midshipmen had their 3rd straight game postponed due to Covid-19 and come into this game with an overall record of 4-3 (3-2 AAC) on the season after being defeated by the 22nd ranked SMU Mustangs, 51-37, on October 31st. Navy had no answers on the defensive end for the potent SMU offensive attack and could not fight back after SMU took a 45-17 lead on a 20-yard TD reception by Rashee Rice with 5:17 left in the 3rd quarter. Navy was outgained by SMU by a 555-430 margin and committed one turnover in the loss. Leading the way for the Midshipmen was QB Tyger Goslin who completed 6 of 10 passes for 123 yards & 2 TD.
On the season, Navy is averaging 21.9 ppg on 308.4 total yards per game (121.4 passing yds/g; 187.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Navy has been led by FB Nelson Smith who has 447 rushing yards & 7 TD’s on 76 carries. Also in the backfield for the Midshipmen has been Jamale Carothers (88 att, 337 yards, 2 TD), Myles Fells (19 att, 139 yards), CJ Williams (16 att, 107 yards), and Chance Warren (18 att, 78 yards, 3 TD). QB Dalen Morris has completed 31 of 58 passes for 555 yards, 3 TD, & 2 INT while also adding 54 rushing yards & 2 TD’s on 66 carries. The top receiving threat for navy has been Mychal Cooper who has 199 receiving yards & 2 TD’s on 12 receptions.
Defensively, Navy is allowing their opponents to average 37.0 ppg on 445.3 total yards per game (201.0 passing yds/g; 244.3 rushing yds/g).
The Tigers are 15-3 ATS in their last 18 road games vs. a team with a losing home record, however, are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Midshipmen are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 conference games.
Navy is nowhere near as strong as we have seen in past years and have been pretty non-competitive against top-tier competition as in their four losses (BYU, Air Force, Houston, SMU), the Midshipmen have lost by an average of 28.8 ppg. Memphis is one of the better offensive teams in the country and as I think they will have no problem piling on points on Navy’s 109th ranked scoring defense, I think the play here is to take Memphis to cover this large home spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Memphis Tigers -14
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
