Navy @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2016 ) Memphis 28, Navy 42

Navy takes its potent rushing attack -- possibly armed with a new twist -- on the road for a key American Athletic Conference clash with Memphis on Saturday at the Liberty Bowl. The No. 24 Midshipmen rallied for a 48-45 victory over Air Force last week while running their option offense almost exclusively out of the shotgun, but quarterback Zach Abey could be back under center seeing as Navy rushed for 447 yards that way in last season's 42-28 victory over the Tigers.

"This has been eight years in the making. We have practiced it, but never really needed it,'' Midshipmen coach Ken Niumatalolo told reporters about the shotgun, which helped produce 471 rushing yards. "We practice it and practice it, but it is hard to get away from your bread and butter when you are good at it." Navy, which leads the nation with an eye-popping 414.2 rushing yards per game, resorted to the wrinkle after Air Force held it to 57 yards on the ground in last season's 28-14 loss. Memphis, coming off a 70-31 victory over Connecticut, will try to prevent the Midshipmen from starting 6-0 for the first time since 1979. Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson matched the AAC record with seven touchdown passes last week, prompting Niumatalolo to tell reporters: “Riley Ferguson is a tremendous talent. ... He has a cannon for an arm and can really whip the football around.”

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Memphis -3.5

ABOUT NAVY (5-0, 3-0 AAC): Abey (16-for-40 passing, five touchdowns, two interceptions this season), threw for two TDs last week, including a 16-yarder to Tyler Carmona with 15 seconds left, and rushed for 214 yards and two scores. Abey leads the Midshipmen in rushing yards (870) and touchdown runs (nine) with fullback Chris High (360 yards, one TD) and running back Malcolm Perry (346, three) the other main contributors. Defensive back Sean Williams is tied for 16th in the nation with 5.8 solo tackles per game.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (4-1, 1-1): Ferguson, who matched the seven touchdown passes thrown by his predecessor at Memphis -- the Denver Broncos' Paxton Lynch, has completed 59.2 percent of his passes with 16 TDs against five interceptions. Wide receiver Anthony Miller contributed to the Tigers' school-record 711 yards of offense last week with 224 yards on 15 receptions and a career-high four touchdowns. Defensive backs Austin Hall (34), Jonathan Cook (31) and Terrell Carter (29) lead the team in tackles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Navy is 17-2 versus the AAC in the regular season since joining the conference in 2015.

2. Miller, who has caught a pass in all 30 career games, has 2,644 receiving yards and needs 338 to pass Duke Calhoun (2006-09) and become the school's all-time leader.

3. Navy leads the series 2-0, including a 45-20 victory over No. 15 and undefeated Memphis (8-0) in 2015.

PREDICTION: Navy 42, Memphis 38