Yahoo Sports Charlotte football vs. No. 25 Navy first look: Betting odds, key matchup, player to watch
Charlotte football returns from its bye week and opens the second half of its season this weekend.
The 49ers kicked off American Athletic Conference play with a pair of statement victories, rallying to upend Rice on the road and then blowing out East Carolina before a raucous crowd at home.
One of the conference’s two remaining unbeaten teams awaits Charlotte (3-3, 2-0 American) on Saturday.
Navy (5-0, 3-0 American), ranked No. 25 in the latest AP Top 25 college football poll, has won each game this season by an average of nearly 24 points. The Midshipmen are putting up 465.4 yards per game, the second-most in the conference behind North Texas.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, and the action will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Key matchup: Navy QB Blake Horvath against Charlotte defense
Blake Horvath is one of the best rushers in the American Athletic Conference.
Navy’s junior quarterback currently ranks second in rushing yards in the American, trailing only Army quarterback Bryson Daily. Horvath, a 6-foot-2 mobile signal caller from Hilliard, Ohio, has rushed for 565 yards and 10 touchdowns this season for the Midshipmen.
His arm hasn’t looked bad, either: Horvath has completed 39 of 59 passes this season for 771 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s only thrown one interception.
Horvath will likely be the most dynamic quarterback — between his fast legs and strong arm — whom Charlotte has faced thus far. Look for the Niners’ defense to force Navy to pound the rock with its running backs and prevent the Midshipmen from pulling away too early.
Player to watch: Charlotte RB Hahsaun Wilson
Wilson continues leading the 49ers’ potent rushing attack.
His total of 315 yards on the ground are the most of any Niner running back. He’s also rushed for five touchdowns, and is one of only two Charlotte running backs who have recorded multiple scores this season.
The redshirt junior overcame a significant injury toward the end of his time at South Florence High in South Carolina, which derailed most potential recruiting opportunities. He initially joined Charlotte as a true walk-on before etching his name into program record books last year at Memphis.
Wilson has solidified himself as the best back for Charlotte, which likes to run the football. He figures to be a big part of their rushing game once again as the Niners face a tougher defense at Navy on Saturday.
Vegas betting odds
Navy opens as a 17.5-point favorite over Charlotte, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 55.5 points.
How to watch the Charlotte 49ers at Navy
Matchup: Navy Midshipmen (5-0) at Charlotte 49ers (3-3)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Stream: CBS Sports
Radio: ESPN 730
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Place: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland
