A spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game on Dec. 6 is likely hanging in the balance when Navy hosts No. 25 Tulane in Annapolis, Md., on Saturday afternoon.Two of the conference’s stars in running back Makhi Hughes of Tulane (8-2, 6-0) and quarterback Blake Horvath of Navy (7-2, 5-1) bring broad appeal to a matchup intensified by Tulane edging the likes of Arizona State and Iowa State to give the AAC two teams in the second set of College Football Playoff rankings revealed Tuesday.As it stands, Tulane (second) and Navy (third) behind No. 24 Army (9-0, 7-0). Navy will face Army in their annual matchup to close the regular season on Dec. 14, but it is designated as a non-conference game and hits after the CFP bracket is announced six days earlier.The Midshipmen call Horvath’s number repeatedly, and he has delivered 870 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns with 1,154 yards passing and 11 scores.Count Tulane coach Jon Sumrall among Horvath’s fans.”He’s unbelievable. The kid is very athletic, can beat you with his legs, throws it really good. Great anticipation and awareness. I think he’s extremely tough,” Sumrall said.As if Navy’s average of 259.1 yards rushing per game (fifth in FBS) isn’t impressive enough, a dangerous passing game only heightens the threat, Sumrall said.Eight of Horvath’s passing touchdowns have covered at least 31 yards, including two that went for 70-plus.”How comfortable they are throwing the ball down the field and doing it with consistency is unique,” Sumrall said. “A lot of times, three-back-option type teams want to go 3-4 yards a play, grind it out. (Navy doesn’t) have a problem doing that, but they have probably more explosive ability throwing the ball down the field than most teams do.”Horvath has been playing through a thumb injury he sustained against Charlotte on Oct. 19 and was held to 50 percent passing with no touchdowns in consecutive losses to Notre Dame (51-14 score) and Rice (24-10). He did have 129 yards rushing and a score against the Fighting Irish.Navy ended the skid with a 28-7 win over South Florida in Tampa last week.
