In a collision of two schools that like to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Willie Fritz and the Tulane Green Wave (+4) are set to face off against their conference counterpart Memphis Tigers (-4) at Liberty Bowl Memorial. The opening kickoff for this keyshowdown is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and interested parties can witness the action live on ESPN2.
Betting Preview: Memphis Tigers vs. Tulane Green Wave
The Green Wave approach this Saturday AAC game as the underdog and they’re currently getting 4 points. The Green Wave are also receiving +165 moneyline odds while the Tigers are -185. There will likely be some good live betting opportunities in the game, and oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 59 points.
The game’s total has swung higher after originally being set at 58.5. The opening line (-4) has yet to change.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Green Wave have gained 2.0 units and the Tigers are ahead 1.1 units.
The Green Wave have gone 5-1 straight up (SU), including 2-0 SU against AAC opponents. The Tigers are 5-1 SU overall and are also 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Green Wave are looking to keep things going after a solid 49-7 victory over Connecticut last week. The passing game was sharp as the Green Wave completed 26-of-34 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Justin McMillan went 18-for-24 for 231 yards and two touchdowns while Keon Howard completed eight-of-10 for 92 yards and one touchdown. Cameron Carroll (only 22 yards on 10 rushes) mounted the running attack while Jalen McCleskey (six receptions, 46 yards) and Amare Jones (four catches, 30 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
One week ago, Temple got the victory against this Memphis crew by a score of 30-28. The Tigers defense allowed the Owls to kill the clock by running for 193 yards on 48 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Branden Mack had a productive showing, posting 125 yards on nine catches for Temple. For Memphis, Brady White completed 28-of-43 passes for 363 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Kenneth Gainwell (106 yards on 19 rush attempts, one TD) handled the running attack as Damonte Coxie (eight receptions, 92 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Tulane has run the ball on 65.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Memphis has an overall rush percentage of 58.1 percent. The Green Wave have produced 288 rush yards/game (including 318 per game against American Athletic Conference opponents) and have 20 scores on the ground this year. The Tigers are totaling 200.2 rush yards per game (117 in conference) and have 13 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Green Wave could own the advantage when it comes to quarterback protection, since their offensive line has allowed only 35 sacks while their D-line logged 41 sacks. The Tigers O-line has given up 24 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 37 occasions.
The Green Wave offensive scheme has logged 208.3 yards/contest through the air overall (254.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 10 passing scores so far. The Tigers have put up 266 pass yards per outing (280 against AAC competition) and have 13 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tulane has allowed 147 rush yards and 183.5 pass yards per game. The Memphis defense has given up 165.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 181.5 yards per game on the ground. The Green Wave are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.43 to opponents, while the Tigers have allowed a 5.22 ANY/A.
Offensively, McMillan is up to 841 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has connected on 62-of-111 attempts with seven scores through the air and only two interceptions. McMillan’s got a 7.40 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 10.06 over the last two games.
For the home team, Brady White has completed 94-of-133 passes for 1,277 yards, 10 TDs and three INTs. White’s ANY/A sits at 8.96 for the year and 8.39 over his past two outings.
These two teams faced off last year with the final result being a 40-24 win for Tulane.
Tulane Green Wave at Memphis Tigers NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Memphis, ATS Winner: Memphis, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Memphis D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 11 times this season. Tulane has registered 10 sacks.
- Memphis has lost seven fumbles this season while the Tulane offense has lost four.
- The Green Wave offense has registered six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Tigers have put up 10 such plays.
- Both defenses have allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards. The Tulane defense has given up eight pass plays of 30+ yards while Memphis has given up 10 such plays.
- The Tulane offense has created 14 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Memphis has created 11 such runs.
- The Green Wave defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Tigers have given up nine such runs.
- The O/U for Memphis’ last outing was set at 51. The over cashed in the 30-28 loss to Temple.
- Over its last three matchups, Memphis is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- Over its last three matches, Tulane is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Tulane’s last game was set at 57.5. The under cashed in the team’s 49-7 win over Connecticut.
- As a team, Tulane has rushed for 6.4 yards per attempt over its last three games and 6.4 over its last two.
- Memphis has averaged 5.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 6.0 over its last two.
