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Poinsettia Bowl 2014: Biggest matchups to watch in San Diego State vs. Navy

We take a look at three key matchups to watch between SDSU and Navy it the Poinsettia Bowl.

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego State Aztecs and Navy Midshipmen will meet next Tuesday in the Poinsettia Bowl in a game that will show off some high-powered rushing offenses.

SDSU has had a solid season against the run, especially against mobile quarterbacks, which is what Navy features with junior Keenan Reynolds.

Navy, on the other hand, may have some trouble containing sophomore running back Donnel Pumphrey, who is the No. 3 rusher in the entire nation.

Let's look at three key matchups to watch when Tuesday comes around.

Donnel Pumphrey vs. Navy linebackers

It's no secret what SDSU will do on offense for this game, and it's what the Aztecs have done all season.

Feed the ball to Pumphrey.

Not to mention Pumphrey is just 88 yards away from from setting the school's single-season rushing record held by George Jones, so he will be more hungry than ever to get yards.

Navy's linebackers will need to have a big day in order to slow Pumphrey down, because he has been able to make people miss or simply run by them in the secondary all season.

If Pumphrey is able to routinely get into the second level of the defense, he will have another big day.

Keenan Reynolds vs. Calvin Munson

Navy's offense is unique in the fact that its leading passer is also it's leading rusher.

Reynolds has been the key that makes the Midshipmen offense go this season, and has amassed 27 total touchdowns.

And 21 of those have been rushing touchdowns, which is even more than Pumphrey.

SDSU sophomore linebacker Calvin Munson has had a great season and leads the Aztecs defense in tackles, interceptions and sacks.

In order to slow down Reynolds the Aztecs will need to have Munson all over the field, as usual.

Quinn Kaehler/Ezell Ruffin vs. Navy Secondary

SDSU senior quarterback Quinn Kaehler has struggled this season with injuries and turnovers.

Kaehler has averaged a pedestrian 183.3 passing yards per game.

However, that is almost 100 yards more than Navy's average per game. This gives Kaehler an advantage that the Aztecs don't usually have over other teams: a passing attack.

Kaehler and senior wide receiver Ezell Ruffin really started to connect towards the end of the season especially against Air Force and Idaho.

The Aztecs will definitely need Pumphrey to still be the focus of the offense, but a couple big Kaehler to Ruffin connections could give SDSU the edge on offense.