Sports roundtable: Memphis travels to Navy on Saturday

The sports staff of The Daily Helmsman gathered to put out their thoughts about when Memphis football travels to Annapolis, Maryland, this Saturday for their first away game of the season. Navy and Memphis will kick off at 2:30 p.m. from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

 

Frank Ramirez

 

The Tigers are in a “championship game†headspace heading into Saturday’s game against Navy in Annapolis, Maryland. Fans should know the winner of the Memphis versus Navy game the past three years, has gone on to win a share of the American Atheltic Conference West Division title.

Navy lost their first game against Hawaii 59-41, but their rushing game has remained strong, as 326 out of their 393 total offensive yards were rushing yards. Zach Abey was Navy’s leading rusher last year while at quarterback, but he transitioned to wide receiver in the offseason. He is expected to repeat a similar red-zone role against Memphis as he did against Hawaii. Abey was lined up at some plays and scored four touchdowns from five carries as a quarterback.

The Tigers’ defense needs to continue after a strong start against Mercer and to be ready to stop rushing attempts most of the game. Quarterback Brady White needs to replicate his debut performance in case Navy’s offense proves too strong. Sam Craft is also hopeful to play this game as well, according to head coach Mike Norvell in a press conference this week. The veteran wide receiver should be a key element for the offense if he can play.

Final score: Memphis 45, Navy 42.

 

Zach Thompson

 

Coming off a 59-41 loss to Hawaii, Navy will be eager to get things back on the right track. Their triple-option always gives the Tigers trouble, so the defense’s answer to that may determine the outcome of this one. However, I think this Tiger team is hungry to get back to the same position they were in last year, and that starts right here with a tough road game against an always tough Navy team.

I expect this one to be close until the end, but I think the combination of Brady White’s comfort in Norvell’s offense, coupled with the chemistry on this defense will be enough to help the Tigers pull this one out in a high-scoring game.

Final score: Memphis 42, Navy 34.

 

Joshua A. Vinson

 

Let me start off by saying Memphis should win against the Navy, but my fear is the stage may just be too big for Tigers’ quarterback Brady White. This game is on the road in Annapolis on national television, and the Midshipmen are looking to redeem their loss from last week against the Rainbow Warriors.

The Navy gave up 436 passing yards to Hawaii, which is alarming. However, that game was on the road, and Hawaii was very confident. Memphis will be playing on the Midshipmen’s turf, and getting a win out of Annapolis is very difficult.

White will have to play just as well as he did last week against Mercer. He also cannot make any costly mistakes because Navy will capitalize when they are running their offense. 

Navy rushed for 326 yards last week in their loss to Hawaii. Memphis’ defense must be able to contain their rushers. If not, this will end in a loss for the Memphis Tigers.

Only because this game is in Annapolis, I’m choosing Navy to win.

Final score: Navy 40, Memphis 37.