Who’s Playing
Navy @ Memphis
Current Records: Navy 1-4; Memphis 3-3
What to Know
After a two-game homestand, the Navy Midshipmen will be on the road. Navy and the Memphis Tigers will face off in an American Athletic battle at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday at Liberty Bowl Memorial. If the 10-7 final from the last time they met is any indication, this game will be decided by the defense.
It was all tied up 21-21 at halftime, but the Midshipmen were not quite the SMU Mustangs’ equal in the second half when they met last week. Navy took a 31-24 hit to the loss column. No one had a standout game offensively for Navy, but they got scores from RB Chance Warren and RB Kai Puailoa-Rojas.
Meanwhile, Memphis was within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap last week as they fell 35-29 to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Memphis’ loss came about despite a quality game from WR Calvin Austin III, who caught 13 passes for one TD and 200 yards.
Navy is the clear underdog, so they’re hoping it’s the size of the fight that determines this one. However, those who like betting on the underdog should be happy to hear that they are 3-1 against the spread when expected to lose.
The losses put the Midshipmen at 1-4 and the Tigers at 3-3. A pair of stats to keep an eye on: Navy is stumbling into the matchup with the 248th fewest passing yards per game in the nation, having accrued only 62.6 on average. Memphis has experienced some struggles of their own as they are 235th worst in the nation in passing yards allowed per game, with 316.3 on average. It’s possible one of these Achilles’ heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
How To Watch
- When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial — Memphis, Tennessee
- TV: ESPN
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $10.00
Odds
The Tigers are a big 10.5-point favorite against the Midshipmen, according to the latest college football odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Tigers, as the game opened with the Tigers as an 8-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Memphis and Navy both have three wins in their last six games.
- Nov 28, 2020 – Memphis 10 vs. Navy 7
- Sep 26, 2019 – Memphis 35 vs. Navy 23
- Sep 08, 2018 – Navy 22 vs. Memphis 21
- Oct 14, 2017 – Memphis 30 vs. Navy 27
- Oct 22, 2016 – Navy 42 vs. Memphis 28
- Nov 07, 2015 – Navy 45 vs. Memphis 20
