3:30 p.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas.
TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus. Radio: WZAA (1050 AM), WBAL (1090 AM), WFED (820 AM, 1500 AM), WNAV (1430 AM). Records: Midshipmen 3-6; Mustangs 6-3.
fast start mandatory for mids
The Midshipmen were able to score early against Troy last Saturday, and it paid off with a 42-14 victory that ended a six-game slide. Navy would like nothing more to again follow that ball-control blueprint against Southern Methodist, which like Troy uses a spread offense intended to keep defenses constantly on their heels. In its three wins, Navy has outscored opponents 81-14 in the first half, including 33-0 in the first quarter. In six losses, Navy has been outscored 132-52, including 49-10 in the first quarter.
navy has finished strong
In need of a victory against SMU to keep alive its bowl aspirations, Navy has been among the best teams in the country down the stretch recently, having compiled an 18-2 record over the final month of the regular season since 2006. Navy has won at least three of its final four regular season games over that time, including last year when the Midshipmen finished with four consecutive victories en route to the Poinsettia Bowl.
mids have dominated mustangs
The Midshipmen have won seven of eight against Southern Methodist and the last four in a row. During that stretch, Navy is 4-0 in Dallas, including a 38-35 overtime win in 2009. Last season, the Midshipmen rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit for a 28-21 victory in Annapolis when fullback Alexander Teich scored on a five-yard run after linebacker Tyler Simmons intercepted a pass at the Mustangs 13 with less than two minutes to play.
— Gene Wang
