Memphis @ Navy preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 14, 2017 ) Navy 27, Memphis 30

Memphis has plenty of confidence packed in its suitcases when it travels to meet Navy on Saturday. The Tigers, who defeated the Midshipmen 30-27 last season after losing the first two meetings in 2015 and 2016, come into the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams off a 66-14 victory over FCS member Mercer while Navy must rebound from a 59-41 setback at Hawaii.

“I think being able to have that experience last year, our guys know that we can (beat them),” Memphis coach Mike Norvell told reporters. “But we have to go out there and earn it in our preparation and it’s got to show up when we kick off.” Junior quarterback Brady White, a graduate transfer from Arizona State, threw for 358 yards and five touchdowns, playing only the first half of his first game with the Tigers, and could have another successful day against a suspect Midshipmen's pass defense. They allowed 428 yards through the air last week -- the third-highest total since Ken Niumatalolo was hired in 2007 -- and will try to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2012. Niumatalolo employed three quarterbacks last week with Malcolm Perry (75-yard touchdown run, TD pass) and Zach Abey (five carries, 17 yards, four TDs) doing considerable damage as explosive and goal-line options.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Memphis -6.5

ABOUT MEMPHIS (1-0): White put together the finest debut in program history, beginning the contest 9-for-9 with two touchdowns after tossing two in three games at Arizona State. Twelve players caught passes against Mercer with sophomore wide receiver Damonte Coxie recording four receptions for 79 yards and a TD. Freshman wide receiver Calvin Austin III was efficient last week, recording one catch for 18 yards and unleashing an 83-yard TD run on his only carry.

ABOUT NAVY (0-1): Senior Garret Lewis -- the third quarterback to see action versus Hawaii -- was 5-of-9 passing for 66 yards. The Midshipmen rushed for 326 yards last week -- they averaged 351.4 last season -- with Perry totaling 108 yards on 17 carries. Sophomore fullback Nelson Smith rushed 10 times for 86 yards versus Hawaii after carrying only eight times as a freshman.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Memphis' 752 yards against Mercer were the second-most in school history (753 versus Central Florida last season) and the first time it totaled more than 400 passing (428) and 300 rushing (324).

2. Navy is one of seven teams not to lose to a team that finished with a losing record over the last five years, joining Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Michigan and Ohio State.

3. The Tigers were picked to repeat as AAC West Division champions with the Midshipmen third. The winner has earned at least a share of the AAC West title in the last three years.

PREDICTION: Navy 48, Memphis 45