The American Athletic Conference Championship game will be played on December 6 and a spot in that game is at stake when Navy plays No. Tulane will play at Annapolis, Md. on Saturday.

Tulane, which beat Arizona State and Iowa State in Tuesday's second College Football Playoff rankings, has two teams from the AAC.

Tulane (second), and Navy (third), are behind No. Army (nine-zero, seven-zero) is ranked 24th. Navy and Army will play their annual game to close out the regular season, on December 14, but the matchup is designated as non-conference. It is played after the CFP bracket has been announced six days earlier.

Horvath has been called by the Midshipmen repeatedly. He has 870 yards of rushing and 13 touchdowns, with 1,154 passing yards and 11 scores.

Horvath has many fans, including Jon Sumrall, the Tulane coach.

"He's unbelievable. The boy is very athletic. He can throw the ball really well, and he can also beat you up with his legs. Excellent anticipation and awareness. Sumrall stated, "I think he is extremely tough."

Sumrall noted that a dangerous pass game would only increase the danger.

Horvath has eight touchdowns that have covered at least 30 yards. Two of them went over 70 yards.

Sumrall noted that "how comfortable they were throwing the ball and how consistently they did it is unique." Sumrall said that three-back option teams often want to grind out 3-4 yards per play. The Navy doesn't have any problem with that. However, they are more explosive in their ability to throw the ball downfield than most other teams.

Horvath was forced to play through a thumb problem he suffered against Charlotte on October 19. He only managed to pass at 50 percent and scored no touchdowns during consecutive losses against Notre Dame (51-14) and Rice (24-0). He had 129 yards and a touchdown against the Fighting Irish.

Navy snapped its losing streak with a 28-7 victory over South Florida last week in Tampa.

Brian Newberry, Navy's coach, said that the offense "really hadn't changed all year" due to Horvath being injured. He has to run the ball for us. He's running it very well. For us to hit on all cylinders he has to carry the ball for us.

Navy will have to defend Hughes, the fourth-ranked FBS runner with 1,209 rushing yards.

Newberry said Hughes is "as good a back there is," combining bruising strength and elusiveness.

"He's both. He's very athletic, big, physical, breaks tackles and makes cuts. He is a complete running back. Newberry added that he also caught the ball out of backfield.

Hughes' threat also helps set up Tulane quarterback Darian Meissah. He has thrown 2,059 yard and 16 touchdowns in this season.

Newberry stated that "their team will establish this first, and then (the play action) off of the rushing game." Newberry said that the quarterback was a good player who could throw well, read the field well, and be smart. He is also athletic enough to beat his opponent with his feet.

Dashaun Peele, a Navy cornerback, has also proven to be an asset. The senior had four of the 13 interceptions for his team, and returned two of them to score touchdowns - covering 61 yards and 84 in a 51-17 thrashing of Charlotte.

Field Level Media

(source: Reuters)