Navy (6-1, 4-0 AAC) at No. 15 Memphis (8-0, 4-0 AAC, No. 13 CFP), 7 p.m. ESPN2
Line: Memphis by 8 ½.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Memphis debuted at No. 13 in the inaugural College Football Playoff ranking, and Tigers cannot afford a loss down the stretch. Navy may not be ranked, but the Midshipmen are tied with both Memphis and Houston atop the West in the American.
KEY MATCHUP
Navy’s rushing offense vs. Memphis defense. Navy ranks fourth nationally rushing for 319.7 yards per game, and the Midshipmen average 34 points per game. Memphis ranks 22nd nationally against the run, allowing only 118.8 yards per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Navy: QB Keenan Reynolds. The Tennessee native tied Montee Ball of Wisconsin for career touchdowns rushing with his 77th last week. Reynolds ranks third all-time in FBS history with 77 career total touchdowns. He ties Travis Prentice of Miami of Ohio with his next TD, and Reynolds is six behind Ball.
Memphis: QB Paxton Lynch. The junior now has thrown for 300 yards or more in each of his last seven games. Lynch ranks 10th with 2,709 yards passing and sixth completing 70.2 percent of his passes. He’s been intercepted once.
FACTS & FIGURES
Navy has 15 players from Tennessee with four starting vs. Memphis. That’s third most of any state behind Texas and California. … This will be coach Ken Niumatololo’s 100th game at Navy. … Navy is off to its best start since starting 7-1 in 2004. … Navy has won 12 of its last 14 games with only losses to Notre Dame. … Navy last beat a ranked opponent Nov. 7, 2009, beating then-No. 19 Notre Dame. Navy’s last upset of a Top 15 team was Nov. 17, 1984, against then-No. 2 South Carolina. Navy’s last road win over Top 15 team was Sept. 21, 1974 at No. 8 Penn State. … Memphis is one of only 11 FBS teams still undefeated. … Memphis is averaging 44,381 fans at home, on pace for school record. … Memphis has won 15 straight games, third behind only No. 1 Ohio State (21) and No. 5 TCU (16).
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Online:
AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org
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