EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, November 10^th, the (2-7) Navy Midshipmen will be on the road to take on the (8-1) UCF Knights.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of UCF 40.8 – Navy 20.1 with an over/under of 60.9.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of UCF 45 – Navy 14.

Mark is predicting a final score of UCF 38 – Navy 15.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: UCF 280.5 YPG > Navy 71.9 YPG

Rushing offense: Navy 287.4 YPG > UCF 268.3 YPG

Scoring offense: UCF 45.4 PPG > Navy 25.1 PPG

Scoring defense: UCF 20.9 PPG > Navy 36.2 PPG

Passing defense: UCF 241.5 YPG > Navy 255.0 YPG

Rushing defense: Navy 186.4 YPG > UCF 188.3 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: UCF +2.0 > Navy +0.4

Summary:

Navy is (2-7) with wins over Memphis and Lehigh.  They were defeated by Hawaii, SMU, Air Force, Temple, Houston, #3 Notre Dame, and Cincinnati.  Navy is currently on a five-game losing streak and were blown out 42-0 by Cincinnati last week.  The Midshipmen rank 98^th in points per game (25.1) and 114^th in scoring defense (36.2 PPG).  Obviously, Navy employs the triple option offense and is a very run heavy team.    Quarterback Garret Lewis has completed 46% of his passes for 398 yards with 2 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.  Lewis is also the team’s third leading rusher with 257 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Malcolm Perry has been dynamic this year rushing for 882 yards and 7 touchdowns.  The Midshipmen defense ranks 102^nd against the pass (255.0 YPG) and 93^rd against the run (186.4 YPG).

UCF is a perfect (8-0) and has the nation’s longest active winning streak at 21 games.  This season UCF has victories over UConn, South Carolina State, Florida Atlantic, Pittsburgh, SMU, Memphis, East Carolina, and Temple.  Temple certainly gave UCF a scare last week in a thrilling game but the Knights prevailed 52-40.  The Knights rank 6^th in points per game (45.4) and 24^th in scoring defense (20.9 PPG).  Quarterback McKenzie Milton has completed 58% of his passes for 2,109 yards with 19 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.  Milton is also a threat on the ground where he has rushed for 7 touchdowns.  Greg McCrae has rushed for 572 yards and is averaging 9.7 yards per carry.  The Knights’ defense ranks 80^th against the pass (241.5 YPG) and 94^th against the run (188.3 YPG).  UCF has the 2^nd best turnover margin (+2.0) in the country.

Bottom Line:

Navy’s defense is a train wreck this year and they have to face a UCF team that has scored over 30 points in every game this season.  Navy is simply not as talented as they’ve been in recent years so I think UCF wins in blowout fashion.

UCF wins 41-14

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