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The South Florida Bulls (4-3) look to extend their three-game winning streak this week against the Navy Midshipmen (5-1). Check out the South Florida vs. Navy prediction and game preview.

South Florida vs. Navy Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 31
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Network: CBS Sports Network

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Why You Need To Care

This first-ever meeting between South Florida and Navy is rich in storylines and intrigue. While neither program is ranked, like Memphis, Temple and Houston, both are playing very well. In fact, the Bulls are in the midst of their first three-game winning streak in four years, which has boosted the job security of head coach Willie Taggart. And since the Midshipmen’s only loss was to Notre Dame, they’re very much in the hunt for the American West Division title.

Why South Florida Will Win

The Bulls’ strongest unit this season has been its run defense. And that’s particularly encouraging when ground-based Navy is next on the schedule. Florida State’s Dalvin Cook hurt South Florida in Week 2. In the other six games, though, USF is allowing just 2.8 yards per carry. The quickness of linemen Eric Lee, Deadrin Senat and James Hamilton will cause problems for a Navy team that sputtered on the ground last week against Tulane.

Why Navy Will Win

While Navy’s identity is deeply rooted in the triple-option, the play of the defense has been an underlying reason for this year’s success. The Midshipmen allow just 19 points per game, 15 to teams not named Notre Dame. And while South Florida has shown a pulse lately, its offense remains unreliable, especially if star RB Marlon Mack’s hamstring sidelines him for a second straight game.

Player Who Matters

Saturday will feature a battle of the agile quarterbacks, Navy’s Keenan Reynolds and South Florida’s Quinton Flowers. Reynolds presents a unique challenge for the Bulls, who are unaccustomed to defending the option. However, Flowers has been playing extremely well of late, carrying the offense last week with 201 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

What’s Going To Happen?

Long trip into unfamiliar—and chilly—territory. While South Florida has turned things around, winning in Annapolis will be too tall of an order for Taggart’s Bulls. Reynolds will take the quarterback duel with Flowers, with help from a Navy that’s not getting enough credit.

South Florida vs. Navy Prediction

Prediction: Navy 27, South Florida 21, Line: Navy -7.5, o/u: 51
Must See Rating: 5: Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church – 1: The Peanuts Movie … 2