Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Preview
Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis
When: Friday, November 25, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Houston Cougars (-3.5) vs. Memphis Tigers (+3.5); total: 61.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
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Betting on the Houston Cougars (-3.5)
The Cougars are not going to be in the College Football Playoff party but defeating No. 5 Louisville and wrecking the Cardinals’ CFP chances must have felt great for Greg Ward and company.
Ward went 25 of 44 for 233 passing yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in the 36-10 annihilation of Louisville last week, but he’s far from being the only hero of that game. Houston sacked Heisman Trophy frontrunner and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson 11 times. Memphis doesn’t have a great offensive line in terms of quarterback protection, as it has allowed the second most sacks in the season in the conference so the Cougars- pass rush could once again be a force in this game.
With Memphis starting quarterback Riley Ferguson likely unable to go this Friday, the Cougars could put a bit more focus on stopping Tigers running back Doroland Dorceus to force their opponents into relying more on the less dependable backup quarterback Jason Stewart.
Betting on the Memphis Tigers (+3.5)
Memphis is 25th in the FBS with 284.5 passing yards per game but with Riley Ferguson probably out, a ton of pressure will be on the shoulders of Stewart.
Ferguson was removed from the game after suffering an injury last week in the 34-7 win over Cincinnati and was subbed by Stewart. Stewart showed how capable he can be under center, completing 13 of 15 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. That said, Memphis will likely get Dorceus an increased workload out of the backfield. Dorceus ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries against Cincinnati.
Defensively, it’s no secret that containing Houston’s Greg Ward is going to be a focus for Memphis. The Tigers are fifth in the conference with 220.3 passing yards allowed. They also have a dangerous secondary that has played a big role in the team ranking fourth in the AAC with 14 interceptions.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston (-3.5) wins, 38-25.
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