Navy vs Memphis: Thanksgiving Showdown Decides AAC Championship Fate

The Navy Midshipmen face the Memphis Tigers in a high-stakes Thanksgiving night football clash. The game kicks off at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, November 27, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. ESPN will broadcast the pivotal American Athletic Conference matchup.

This is the only college football game scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The outcome directly impacts the conference championship race. According to ESPN analytics, Navy must win to keep its title game hopes alive.

Navy’s Path to the Championship Game Hinges on Road Victory

Navy enters the game with an 8-2 overall record. Their conference record is an impressive 6-1. This puts them in a three-way tie for first place with Tulane and North Texas.

Despite the strong record, Navy sits sixth in the AAC’s complex tiebreaker system. A win over Memphis is absolutely mandatory. They also need favorable results from other games this weekend.

The Midshipmen are coming off a huge 41-38 win over then-No. 24 USF. That victory clinched their bowl eligibility. It also demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure against ranked foes.

Star Quarterback Blake Horvath Anchors Navy’s Elite Rushing Attack

Senior quarterback Blake Horvath is the engine of Navy’s offense. He has rushed for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He has also passed for 1,290 yards and 2 more scores.

Horvath is a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the academic Heisman. He carries a 3.69 GPA. His leadership on and off the field is a major asset for the Midshipmen.

Navy leads the entire Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing yards per game. They average a dominant 308.2 yards on the ground. This relentless rushing attack controls the clock and wears down defenses.

Memphis Aims to Play Spoiler with Potent Offensive Weapons

The Memphis Tigers hold an 8-3 record but have lost their last two games. Their conference record is 4-3, eliminating them from title contention. Their role now is to disrupt Navy’s championship ambitions.

Quarterback Brendon Lewis directs a dangerous Tigers offense. He has thrown for 2,395 yards and 13 touchdowns this year. Lewis is also a running threat, adding 677 yards and 9 scores on the ground.

Receiver Cortez Braham Jr. is his top target with 824 receiving yards. The Tigers rank fifth nationally in red zone offense. They are fully capable of turning this into a high-scoring affair.

The Navy vs Memphis showdown is a Thanksgiving tradition with unprecedented conference implications this year. Tune in Thursday night to see if Navy’s championship dreams stay alive or if Memphis successfully plays the spoiler.

A quick knowledge drop for you:

What do the Navy Midshipmen need to happen to reach the AAC Championship?

Navy must defeat Memphis. They also need either Tulane to lose to Charlotte or North Texas to lose to Temple. A combination of results will determine the final seeding.

Who is the key player to watch for Navy?

Senior quarterback Blake Horvath is the focal point. His dual-threat ability as both the team’s leading rusher and passer makes the entire offense function. His performance will dictate the game’s pace.

How can I watch the Navy vs Memphis game?

The game airs nationally on ESPN at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. The broadcast team includes Matt Barrie, Tom Luginbill, and Harry Lyles Jr. Streaming is available via the ESPN app.

What is the recent history between these two teams?

Navy won a shootout last year, 56-44. Overall, Memphis leads the all-time series 6-4. The home team has won four of the last five meetings between these programs.

Why is Navy ranked so low in the tiebreakers with a 6-1 record?

The AAC uses a multi-step tiebreaking procedure. It considers records against common opponents and specific team groupings. Navy’s earlier loss to North Texas currently works against them in the formula.