Navy @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2016 ) Houston 40, Navy 46

Second place is up for grabs in the American Athletic Conference West Division when Houston hosts Navy on Friday afternoon. The winner of the contest finishes as the runner-up to Memphis, which has clinched a spot in the AAC Championship Game.

It's not quite the same as two seasons ago when the winner would go on to play in the league title game. Both programs lament what could have been this season after suffering close losses as Navy lost four of the past five following a 5-0 start, with all four setbacks coming by 10 or fewer points, while three of Houston's four defeats are by a combined 10 points. "In three of our four losses we’ve had the ball at the end with a chance to tie or take the lead,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said during his weekly conference call. “So we’re losing some closes games. In the past, we’ve won those close games.'' Houston coach Major Applewhite told reporters: "When you look at three of our four losses are by a combined 10 points . . . it’s difficult to swallow, but you’re motivated to go back and go fix those mistakes and make things better. We have to address those issues because we could have a better record than we do currently.''

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: Houston -4.5

ABOUT NAVY (6-4, 4-3 AAC): The triple-option offense once again ranks as one of the top rushing attacks in the nation, entering the week second in FBS with an average of 360.5 yards per game. Quarterback Zach Abey leads the attack with 1,289 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Slotback Malcolm Perry is averaging 9.6 yards per carry, rushing for 736 yards and seven touchdowns, but his status is unclear after missing last week's game with an ankle injury.

ABOUT HOUSTON (6-4, 4-3): The Cougars have used three different starting quarterbacks this season - utilizing Kyle Allen, Kyle Postma and D'Eriq King, who has opened the past two games after taking the reigns during an upset of South Florida on Oct. 28. The trio has combined for a 69.5 percent completion percentage, fourth in FBS. All three have recorded at least one 300-yard passing game while each has thrown for more than 600 yards on the year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Navy boasts a record of 28-2 over the past five seasons when holding a positive turnover ratio. The Midshipmen have won the turnover battle just once this season, holding a plus-two advantage in a victory against Air Force.

2. Houston WR Linell Bonner needs 13 receptions to move in to eighth on the school's all-time list. Bonner is tied for seventh in the nation averaging 7.2 catches per game.

3. Navy leads the nation in average time of possession at 36 minutes, 29 seconds. In last week's loss to Notre Dame, the Midshipmen help the ball for 42:42 -best in the Niumatalolo era.

PREDICTION: Houston 33, Navy 31