Teams coming off wins clash in an American Athletic Conference matchup between the Navy Midshipmen and Memphis Tigers on Thursday night. The Midshipmen (1-1) rebounded from a season-opening 42-3 drubbing at the hands of No. 13 Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 26 by downing Wagner 24-0 on Saturday. The Tigers (2-0), meanwhile, stayed perfect on the season with a 37-3 win at Arkansas State. Memphis had opened the season with a 56-14 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 2.
The game from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Navy is allowing 21 points per game, 62nd-best in the country, while Memphis surrenders 8.5 points, 12th-best. The Tigers are favored by 13.5 points in the latest Navy vs. Memphis odds, while the over-under for total points scored is 47. Before making any Memphis vs. Navy picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of nearly $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Navy vs. Memphis and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Memphis vs. Navy:
- Navy vs. Memphis spread: Memphis -13.5
- Navy vs. Memphis over/under: 47 points
- Navy vs. Memphis money line: Navy +403, Memphis -552
- NAV: The Midshipmen are 6-0 against the spread in their last six road games
- MEM: The Tigers have hit the first half under team total in seven of their last nine games
- Navy vs. Memphis picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Memphis can cover
The Tigers have a one-two punch at running back in senior transfer Blake Watson and sophomore Sutton Smith. Watson leads the team with 126 yards on 30 carries (4.2 average) and three touchdowns, including a long run of 21 yards. In the win over Bethune-Cookman, Watson carried 10 times for 75 yards and three scores. He played his first four seasons at Old Dominion and in four-plus years, has carried 429 times for 2,275 yards (5.3 average) and 17 touchdowns.
Smith has also made his presence felt on offense. He has carried 23 times for 120 yards (5.2 average) and two touchdowns. He had a solid season-opening effort, rushing 18 times for 115 yards and two scores. Last week he had two receptions for 26 yards, and has four catches for 29 yards on the year. Last season for the Tigers, he carried 29 times for 135 yards (4.7 average) and two TDs. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
Why Navy can cover
The Midshipmen are known for their ground attack. Already this season, 11 players have carried the ball, with seven of them rushing for 10 or more yards. Fullback Daba Fofana leads the team with 90 rushing yards on 23 carries (3.9 average) and one score. The junior carried 15 times for a season-high 56 yards in a season-opening 42-3 loss to 13th-ranked Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 26. Last year, he carried 186 times for 769 yards (4.1 average) and six scores.
Defensively, Navy is led by senior linebacker Will Harbour. Harbour leads the team in tackles with 13, including 10 solo. He made eight solo tackles in the opener against the Fighting Irish. In three seasons with the Midshipmen, he has registered 64 tackles, including 34 solo, and has 1.5 sacks. He has one pass breakup and forced one fumble. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
How to make Navy vs. Memphis picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 55 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Memphis vs. Navy, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of almost $2,500 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
