Thanksgiving Clash: Navy Meets Memphis in College Football Showdown

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Navy and Memphis will face off in college football’s only Thanksgiving matchup this year at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET as the Midshipmen strive to keep their American Athletic Conference (AAC) title hopes alive following a recent 41-38 victory over South Florida.

Navy currently holds an 8-2 record, with a 6-1 mark in the AAC, and is tied for first place in the conference. The Midshipmen have struggled on the road with a 2-2 record, while Memphis, standing at 8-3 and 4-3 in the AAC, has found success at home, winning four of five games played at Liberty Stadium this season.

Memphis enters this matchup after a close 31-27 loss to East Carolina. Despite their recent struggles, the Tigers lead the all-time series against Navy, 6-4. However, Navy won last year’s contest in a thrilling 56-44 game.

In the latest betting insights, Memphis is favored by 3.5 points according to initial odds, with an over/under set at 58.5 total points. The money line stands at Memphis -171, and Navy +142.

Navy’s quarterback, Blake Horvath, has played a significant role in his team’s success, needing just 63 more passing yards to enter the top 10 for single-season passing yards in Navy history. Horvath is also closing in on a second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, as he currently has 986 rushing yards.

Memphis is looking to regain momentum after losing two consecutive games that have eliminated them from title contention. Quarterback Brendon Lewis has demonstrated strong passing performance lately, achieving over 300 passing yards in two of his last four starts.

With both teams aiming for a high-scoring game, fans can expect a thrilling matchup filled with explosive plays. Navy’s rushing offense, which leads the nation in yards per game, will be tested against Memphis’s scoring efficiency, which ranks 17th in the FBS.

The game promises to showcase top talents and has major implications for both teams, particularly for Navy’s aspirations to secure a spot in the AAC Championship Game.

The anticipation builds as fans await the kickoff of this exciting Thanksgiving night battle.