North Texas vs Navy Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 24, 2026

North Texas heads to Annapolis on Saturday with three wins in a row, while Navy is still trying to get its season moving in the right direction. They'll play at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 3:30 pm ET on CBS Sports Network. North Texas is 4-2 overall and second in the American Conference at 2-0. The Mean Green last played October 10, beating Charlotte 50-10. Navy is 2-4 and sits 13th in the conference at 1-3. The Midshipmen lost 38-34 at UTSA last Saturday, their fourth defeat in five games. Find your next winner with our free NCAAF picks.

North Texas Has Been Scoring in Bunches

North Texas has been putting up some big numbers lately. The Mean Green scored 50 against Charlotte, 45 in an overtime win at Tulsa and 63 against Houston Christian. The Tulsa game went down to the wire, 45-44, but the other two were comfortable wins. Even the loss to Texas State featured 35 points from North Texas. In six games, the offense has thrown for 2,082 yards and rushed for 1,121 more. That's a lot for Navy to deal with, especially after allowing 38 points to UTSA.

Tayven Jackson has completed 143 of 198 passes for 1,868 yards and 15 touchdowns, with four interceptions. Justin Stevenson has caught 33 passes for 453 yards and five scores, while Corri Milliner has added 325 receiving yards. Jahiem White has been particularly tough to bring down. He's rushed for 687 yards on 96 carries, an average of 7.2, and has nine touchdowns. Zakye Barker leads the defense with 45 tackles, while Davion Rhodes has four sacks. Rhodes has also forced four fumbles, giving North Texas another way to get possession.

Injuries: V. Aderungboye, J. Tyre, D. Clemens and Corri Milliner are questionable.

Navy Needs More Than Its Ground Game

Navy has played some close games but hasn't won many of them. The Midshipmen scored 34 at UTSA last week and still lost by four. They beat Tulsa 34-26 the week before, snapping a three-game skid that included losses to Air Force, UAB and Florida Atlantic. Running the ball has rarely been the issue. Navy has rushed for 1,791 yards in six games, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. But when opponents get ahead, the Midshipmen haven't had the same success moving the ball through the air.

Jackson Gutierrez has been the busiest player in Navy's backfield, rushing 123 times for 644 yards and nine touchdowns. He's attempted only 54 passes, completing 25 for 559 yards, six scores and one interception. Braxton Woodson has added 372 rushing yards and five touchdowns, with Michael Barrow contributing 347. Jordan Collins has only five catches, but three have gone for touchdowns. On defense, Coleman Cauley has 49 tackles, and MarcAnthony Parker leads Navy with four sacks. Those defenders face a difficult assignment against White and Jackson.

Injuries: L. Walker, J. Chalmers and M. Barlow are out. J. Norris is questionable.

Key To The Game

Navy will keep running behind Gutierrez, but North Texas has a passing attack capable of forcing a faster game. Jackson has 15 touchdown passes, while Navy's defense has only three interceptions. That difference could matter if North Texas takes an early lead.

North Texas vs Navy Pick

• North Texas -2.5

Navy can move the ball on the ground, but North Texas has been scoring too consistently to ignore. Jackson has 15 touchdown passes, and White averages 7.2 yards per carry. The Mean Green have scored at least 44 points in four of their last five games. Navy has lost four of five, including two games where it scored 30 or more. North Texas will win and cover the 2.5-point spread.

North Texas vs Navy Over/Under Pick

• Over 61.5

North Texas has scored 50, 45 and 63 points in its last three games. Navy scored 34 against UTSA and 34 against Tulsa, with Gutierrez providing nine rushing touchdowns this season. Both offenses have runners who can break long gains, and Navy's defense just allowed 38 points. The Midshipmen will contribute enough on the ground to keep up for stretches. This game will finish over the 61.5-point total on Saturday.