In Week 8 of the 2026 College Football season, the North Texas Mean Green are set to play against the Navy Midshipmen. The game will take place at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD, and is scheduled for an afternoon kickoff at 3:30 PM. Fans can catch all the action on CBSS.
North Texas comes into this matchup with a solid 4-2 record, including an undefeated home record of 3-0, though their road performance stands at 1-2. The Mean Green have shown their strength in conference play with a 2-0 record, making them a formidable opponent within the American Conference. Their recent performance has been strong, winning four of their last five games, highlighted by a dominating 50-10 victory over Charlotte.
Navy, on the other hand, holds a 2-4 record, yet they maintain an undefeated home record of 2-0, showcasing their ability to capitalize on home-field advantage. Despite struggling with a 1-3 conference record, the Midshipmen's recent 34-26 win against Tulsa at home indicates potential for a competitive game. Historically, Navy's run-heavy offense can pose significant challenges for opposing defenses.
Navy vs North Texas At a Glance (Week 8)
- Game Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 3:30 PM
- Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD
- TV Broadcast: CBSS
- North Texas Record: 4-2 overall, 1-2 on the road
- Navy Record: 2-4 overall, 2-0 at home
- Betting Odds: North Texas favored with a -126 moneyline, Navy at +105
The Strategic Seas: Navy Midshipmen Set Sail for Success
Offensive Overview
The Navy Midshipmen have been a dominant force on the ground, ranking 5th nationally with 1,792 rushing yards this season. Their ground game remains their primary weapon, though their passing game ranks 129th with only 693 yards. This imbalance may present challenges against teams with strong run defenses.
Jackson Gutierrez leads the team at quarterback, with 559 passing yards and six touchdowns. While the passing game is not the team's strength, Gutierrez's ability to manage the game is crucial for Navy's offensive success.
Defensive Dynamics
Defensively, the Midshipmen are 11th in the nation with 14 sacks, showcasing their ability to pressure the quarterback. However, they rank 91st in points allowed, indicating room for improvement in limiting opponent scoring. The defense has only secured three interceptions, ranking 4th, highlighting their opportunistic secondary.
The team needs to address their inability to recover fumbles, as they have yet to recover one this season. This could be a key area for improvement as they face upcoming opponents.
Recent Performances
Navy is coming off a narrow 38-34 loss against UTSA, where they outperformed on the ground with 297 rushing yards but struggled to contain UTSA's aerial attack. Their win against Tulsa showcased their potential, with a strong 388 rushing yards and 34-26 victory. Consistency remains a challenge, evident from losses against Air Force, UAB, and Florida Atlantic earlier this season.
The team's home performance has been strong, as evidenced by their recent victory against Tulsa at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Midshipmen will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage in their upcoming game against North Texas.
Key Players
Running back Michael Barrow leads the rushing attack with 347 yards, proving instrumental in Navy's offensive strategy. Vic Listorti and Charles Robinson also contribute significantly to the rushing game, with Listorti recording two rushing touchdowns. Tight end Jordan Collins is a key target in the passing game, with 189 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
On special teams, kicker Nolan Bartley has been reliable, making 18 extra points and three field goals this season. His consistency will be crucial in close contests.
Injury Concerns
Several players, including wide receiver Joshua Guerin and center Toran Smith, are questionable due to undisclosed injuries. Their availability could impact Navy's depth and performance, especially on the offensive line and receiving corps.
Team Betting Trends
- SU - Home Games: Last 8 Games (2025–2026) → 8-0 (100.0%)
- SU - As Favorite: Last 19 Games (2023–2026) → 16-3 (84.2%)
- O/U - After Win: Last 21 Games (2023–2026) → 17-4 (81.0%)
- O/U - Home Games: Last 14 Games (2024–2026) → 12-2 (85.7%)
- SU - After Win: Last 20 Games (2024–2026) → 15-5 (75.0%)
- O/U - Totals ≥ 50: Last 14 Games (2025–2026) → 11-3 (78.6%)
- SU - All Games: Last 29 Games (2024–2026) → 20-9 (69.0%)
North Texas Mean Green: A Deep Dive into Their Upcoming Game
Quarterback Analysis
The North Texas Mean Green are led by starting quarterback Tayven Jackson. Jackson has been impressive this season with 1,868 passing yards, ranking 7th in the nation. His ability to connect with receivers has resulted in 15 touchdown passes, while maintaining a relatively low interception rate with only 4 this season.
Backing him up is Chaston Ditta, who has played in four games. Though his contributions are more limited, he has shown efficiency with 159 passing yards and a touchdown in his outings.
Rushing Attack
Jahiem White is the standout in the backfield for North Texas. White's 687 rushing yards place him 12th nationally, highlighting his ability to consistently gain yardage on the ground.
Complementing White is Brendon Haygood, who has contributed 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His role provides depth and versatility to the Mean Green's rushing strategy.
Receiving Corps
Justin Stevenson leads the receiving group with 453 yards and five touchdowns, making him a key target for Jackson. His performance ranks him among the top receivers, offering a reliable option for big plays.
Kyle Koch and Corri Milliner also add to the team's offensive firepower. Koch has 227 receiving yards with three touchdowns, while Milliner has 325 yards and one touchdown. Their contributions add depth to the receiving unit.
Defensive Strengths
The defense of the North Texas Mean Green has proven effective in creating turnovers. They rank 6th in interceptions with five, which has been instrumental in turning the tide of games in their favor.
Additionally, their defensive line has accumulated 15 sacks this season, placing them 10th in the national rankings. This pressure has been crucial in disrupting opposing offenses.
Betting Trends
- SU - As Favorite: 23-3 (88.5%) over the last 26 games
- SU - Home Games: 6-0 (100.0%) over the last 6 games
- O/U - Away Games: 13-2 (86.7%) over the last 15 games
- SU - All Games: 16-4 (80.0%) over the last 20 games
- O/U - After Win: 21-7 (75.0%) over the last 28 games
Navy vs North Texas Week 8 Prediction: Over 61.5
In the upcoming Week 8 game, both Navy and North Texas have demonstrated a tendency for high-scoring games. North Texas boasts a strong offensive performance, currently ranked 16th in points scored with 253 points this season. Their recent 50-10 win over Charlotte showcases their ability to put up big numbers.
On the other hand, Navy has shown they can compete in high-scoring games, as evidenced by their recent 38-34 loss to UTSA. Their impressive home record of 2-0 this season further suggests they can maintain offensive pressure at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. With both teams' offenses performing well, the total of 61.5 seems achievable.
Both teams have a history of playing games that exceed the set total, especially when the total is 50 or more. North Texas's recent games have all gone over, while Navy's games have a similar trend, indicating that both defenses may struggle to contain each other's offensive threats. This sets the stage for a high-scoring game.
Given these factors, the pick is to go with the over on 61.5 points. A projected final score of North Texas 38 - Navy 34 supports this prediction, as both teams are capable of contributing significant points to the total.
- Navy vs North Texas Prediction: Over 61.5
- Navy vs North Texas Score: North Texas 38 - Navy 34
Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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