A couple of schools that like to keep the ball on the ground, Head Coach Barry Odom and the Missouri Tigers (-10) are ready to take on the Memphis Tigers at Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field. This key afternoon game starts at 4:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to SEC Network.
Betting Preview: Missouri Tigers vs. Memphis Tigers
Memphis is a big road underdog in this matchup and is currently getting 10 points. Memphis is receiving +290 moneyline odds while Missouri is -370. If one program gets out in front in the early stages it’ll result in a decent in-game betting scenario. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at a seriously-high 74 points.
Early action has been leaning in the direction of Missouri, as the opening line was -7. The over/under hasn’t changed after being set initially at 74.
Memphis has lost 11.2 units so far and is 4-3 against the spread (ATS). These Tigers have been a good under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 2-4.
Missouri has gone 2-3-1 ATS and four of its games have gone over the total. It has lost 0.1 units this season.
Memphis has gone 4-3 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Tigers are 3-3 SU.
Memphis is looking to get back on track after a 31-30 loss to UCF last week in which Brady White completed 17 passes for 209 yards. Darrell Henderson (199 yards on 31 rush attempts, one TD) and Patrick Taylor Jr. (47 yards on 11 carries) provided the ground attack while Tony Pollard (six receptions, 45 yards) and Damonte Coxie (four catches, 86 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Missouri just fell convincingly 39-10 to Alabama. The team’s defensive unit let the Crimson Tide pass for 380 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 184 yards. Jerry Jeudy had a solid outing for Alabama, recording 147 yards on three catches. For Missouri, Drew Lock completed 13-of-26 passes for 142 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Larry Rountree III (48 yards on 17 rush attempts) handled the running game while Albert Okwuegbunam (four receptions, 47 yards) and Jalen Knox (three catches, 61 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Memphis has run the ball on 57.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Missouri has an overall rush percentage of 52.3 percent. The Tigers has produced 275.4 rush yards per game and has 24 touchdowns on the ground this year. Missouri is logging 188.0 rushing yards per game and has 11 total rush TDs.
The Memphis offense has averaged 263.6 yards through the air overall and has 16 passing scores so far. Missouri has produced 289.0 pass yards per game and has 12 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Memphis seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 171.3 rush yards and 193.4 pass yards per game. The Missouri D has given up 300.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 120.2 yards per game on the ground. Memphis is giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.46 to opposing QBs, while Missouri has allowed an ugly 9.25 ANY/A.
Offensively, White has amassed 1,519 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 109-of-167 attempts with 14 scores through the air and only one interception. He’s got a pristine 9.45 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 9.31 over the last two outings.
In the host locker room, Drew Lock has managed to complete 114-of-187 passes for 1,425 yards, 12 TDs and four INTs. Lock’s ANY/A stands at 7.33 for the year and 2.24 over his past two games.
Memphis Tigers vs. Missouri Tigers Free Pick
SU Winner: Missouri, ATS Winner: Missouri, O/U: Over
Betting Trends
- The Memphis defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times this year. Missouri has registered just seven sacks.
- The Missouri offense has lost four fumbles in 2018 while Memphis has lost six.
- The Memphis offense has tallied seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Missouri has accounted for six such plays.
- The Memphis defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Missouri has given up 11 such plays.
- The Memphis offense has created 27 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Missouri has created six such runs.
- The Memphis defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Missouri has given up four such runs.
- As a team, Memphis has averaged 6.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 7.2 over its last two.
- Missouri has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.4 over its last two.
