Free College Football Picks Today: University of Central Florida Knights vs Navy Midshipmen 11/19/22

Two of the nation’s top running offenses are set to square off at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday, as the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen (3-7, 3-4 AAC) head to face the No. 17 University of Central Florida Knights (8-2, 5-1 AAC).

The Knights are 16.5-point favorites, and the total is 53.Navy is coming off a close 35-32 loss to No. 20 Notre Dame at M&T Bank Stadium last Saturday. Daba Fofana ran 15 times for 133 yards and a touchdown.

Mark Walker caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. UCF won for the third straight game last Saturday, beating No. 16 Tulane 38-31 at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium.

John Rhys Plumlee was 17 of 30 for 132 yards and a touchdown. He added 176 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Javon Baker added a touchdown of his own. He caught five receptions for 54 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Midshipmen won the only game between the teams last season, a 34-30 victory in October. Mikey Keene tossed two touchdowns for UCF, as Brandon Johnson found the end zone twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Midshipmen are averaging 22.7 points per game for the season, 101st in FBS, and they are facing a Knights defense that has surrendered 20.0 PPG (21st). Meanwhile, UCF has scored 35.9 points a game this season, 20th in the country, and Navy is allowing 25.8 PPG (63rd).

The Midshipmen rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (243.7, 7th), while they are 129th in passing yards (100.5). The Knights are 85th in passing yards allowed per game (240.5) and 33rd against the run (124.5).

UCF has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 249.5 yards per game (5th), while ranking 48th in passing yards (248.2). Navy’s defense has been equally impressive on the ground, as the Midshipmen are 5th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (85.8). Against the pass, the Midshipmen are 116th (274.4).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through eight games, Tai Lavatai has thrown for five touchdowns (3 INT) and 98.4 yards per game to lead Navy in passing. In three away games this season, he has three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 139.7 yards passing.

Daba Fofana leads the team in rushing with an average of 68.5 yards a game over 10 games. He has six touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. Jayden Umbarger is the Midshipmen’s leading receiver with 37.9 yards a game and two TDs.

John Rhys Plumlee has 12 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 223.9 yards per game through nine games to lead UCF. In six home games this season, he has thrown for 10 TDs (2 INT) and an average of 208.0 yards. John Rhys Plumlee also leads the team in rushing with an average of 78.7 yards per game.

He has nine touchdowns on the ground. Ryan O’Keefe has been the primary target in the Knights’ aerial attack. He has four touchdowns and a 56.7 yard per game average through 10 appearances.