Houston at Navy – Preview and Prediction
HOUSTON 17 NAVY (51)
Implied Projected Score: Houston 34 Navy 17
MEGALOCKS LINE – Houston 17
The Game
The Houston Cougars continue their march with DESTINY and bring a 5-0 record on the road with them in a battle with the Navy Midshipmen. Houston has won their five games by a combined score of 221-56 (!) and have barely broken a sweat after the opening win vs Oklahoma. Navy has “struggled” so far in the post-Kennan Reynolds era but are still sitting with a 3-1 after their disappointing loss to Air Force.
The Match-Up
Houston offense vs Navy defense
Houston has been simply devastating on offense this season. They had a tough game with the Sooners to open up the season, but generally speaking, they have been really efficient and close to impossible to stop. QB Ward gets a lot of props for his running ability but what we are really impressed by is his ability to MATRICULATE down the field in the passing game. Ward has completed 71% of his passes and thrown 8 TD passes vs 2 INT. Duke Catalon should be back this week to give the running game a boost. Navy is ranked #100 in passing efficiency defense this season despite playing a weak set of opposing QBs. They also gave up 52 points to Houston last season. The best defense for Navy will be to keep the Houston offense off the field. 12 minutes drives will do.
Navy offense vs Houston defense
You are never going to replace QB Kennan Reynolds. Easily one of the greatest Navy football players of all time and definitely in the MEAGLOCKS personal fav Hall of Fame. QB Will Worth has been fine filling in for an injured Tago Smith, but including sack yardage, Worth has only rushed for 171 yards on 71 carries. They are getting some decent production out of their deep set of RB but the offense definitely has a different feel to it this season. WR Jamir Tillman is good enough to hit you for a big play or two but the running game has to get rolling in this contest. Houston held Navy to 147 yards rushing in last season’s game and this could be worse. The Houston run defense looks pretty rock solid.
MEGA-MAZEMENT !
Deal this beauty out to your annoying co-workers when they try and tell you stories about their four cats…..Houston is 23-4-1 ATS L28 road games….that seems impossible…..TREND GUY is having a seizure because Navy is 11-1 ATS L12 home games…..how about 1,000 IMAGINARY TWITTER UNITS (it’s ok that he is a compulsive liar – his picks are free, yo) on each team ?? LOCK CITY.
Summary
We love catching 17 points with Navy. We do not love them catching 17 points against Houston.
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Lean: Strong lean Houston -17 or better.