It’s an all-AAC Thursday Night Football clash as the undefeated Memphis Tigers host the 1-1 Navy Midshipmen to kick start college football Week 3. Who emerges victorious?
Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a Memphis vs. Navy prediction.
Memphis vs. Navy Betting and DFS Preview
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Want to take advantage of the Memphis vs. Navy odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page right here.
- Spread
Memphis -14.5 - Moneyline
Memphis -650, Navy +470 - Over/Under
47 points - Game time
7:30 p.m. ET - Location
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN - Predicted Weather at Kick
68 degrees, 6.8 mph winds, mostly clear - How to Watch
FuboTV, ESPN
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Looking to make a little money on Memphis? Got a nickel you want to place on Navy? If you’re going to take advantage of the Memphis vs. Navy odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard earned cash.
There’ been eight previous clashes between Navy and Memphis since their first encounter in 2015. The Midshipmen might have had an early advantage — winning by two scores in 2015 and 2016 — but Memphis is on a four-game winning streak against their AAC foe and have won three of the last four by more than one score. Navy hasn’t won in Memphis since 2015.
There’s a reason why Memphis is such a large moneyline favorite, and taking the Tigers outright is the sensible and safe bet. It won’t gain you much return, however.
Only two of the eight all-time meetings between the two teams have failed to clear the 47 point line offered by DraftKings, which may offer you confidence of the game hitting the over. Consider that Navy has hit the under in both their games so far, and Memphis is 1-1 against the over, before putting down significant amounts on the game covering the line.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Memphis Depth Chart | Navy Depth Chart
- QB Seth Henigan, Memphis ($10,800)
- QB Tai Lavatai, Navy ($7,100)
- RB Blake Watson, Memphis ($10,000)
- RB Daba Fofana, Navy ($6,500)
- RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy ($5,600)
- RB Ke’Travion Hargrove, Memphis ($5,500)
- RB Brandon Chatman, Navy ($5,400)
- RB Jevyon Ducker, Memphis ($5,200)
- RB Sutton Smith, Memphis ($4,900)
- RB Brandon Chatman, Navy ($5,400)
- RB Amin Hassan, Navy ($4,800)
- WR Tauskie Dove, Memphis ($8.400)
- WR Joseph Scates, Memphis ($7,800)
- WR Demeer Blankumsee, Memphis ($7,00)
- WR Roc Taylor, Memphis ($6,200)
- WR Jayden Umbarger, Navy ($5,500)
- WR Camari Williams, Navy ($5,300)
- WR Nathan Kent, Navy ($5,100)
- TE Anthony Landphere, Memphis ($5,500)
With this being the only game on Thursday featuring two FBS programs, you have to weigh your options around picking players from this game and from the Miami Hurricanes (who play FCS foe Bethune-Cookman).
If you’re new to DFS, FanDuel Superflex contests require you to select a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, then a “superflex” that can be any of the above or you can also select a tight end in the superflex spot.
While Tai Lavatai’s dual-purpose at quarterback for Navy might prove tempting from a fantasy perspective, Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan is actually the third-highest-scoring fantasy player from the AAC through Week 2 of the college football season. The Tigers’ talent has scored 43.62 points this year and has a great matchup against the Midshipmen secondary.
You also have to worry that Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke may not see the field for the entire game to outscore Henigan on Thursday.
On a popular theme, your wide receiver room should be packed full of Memphis players.
While Navy have added some passing wrinkles to their offense this season, they’re never going to be hyper-productive through the air. Memphis has two pass catchers over 100 yards, with Tauskie Dove leading all Group of Five receivers in yards per catch.
DFS values might dictate your Memphis vs. Navy picks, so if you can’t afford to house three Memphis receivers, Camari Williams is the only Navy pass catcher with a touchdown this year, and ties for second on the team with two receptions. The Midshipmen’s leading pass catcher so far in 2023 is actually slotback Brandon Chatman, who could prove a low-value steal at running back.
Prediction for Memphis vs. Navy
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with Memphis vs. Navy odds and DFS picks, and it’s time to close this thing out with our Memphis vs. Navy prediction.
Can the Midshipmen upset the Tigers at home and record their first win in Tennessee since 2015? Or will the Navy defense be sunk by a high-scoring Memphis offense?
While Memphis certainly isn’t Notre Dame, look to the Fighting Irish’s clinical performance against Navy in Dublin for how the tale of this game might go. The Tigers have the ability to set the pace in the ground game, with transfer rusher Blake Watson already showcasing his ability to take over a game with 30 carries, 126 yards, and three touchdowns through two games.
The Tigers have four backs who have handled double-digit workloads and at least one touchdown through two games. So, they can set the tone in the ground game, keeping a Navy defense that is historically good against the run honest. That should open up the passing game for Seth Henigan and his talented group of WRs to feast on the Navy secondary.
Meanwhile, Memphis has allowed just 8.5 points per game through college football Week 2. While they’ve yet to face a true challenge, they’ve also allowed just 50.0 rushing yards per game, ranking sixth in the nation. The Tigers have 13 defensive players who have made their presence felt in the opposition backfield, with the potential to make life difficult for Navy.
Prediction: Memphis 30, Navy 13