USF vs. Memphis Prediction, Game Preview
USF vs. Memphis prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Bulls and Tigers.
USF vs. Memphis prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Bulls and Tigers.
USF vs. Memphis Game Preview
When: Saturday, November 12 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
TV Broadcast: ESPNU
USF had a bye week and comes into the last three games of the season needing to win out and Temple to lose a game for the Bulls to win the AAC East division and play in the championship game.
Memphis blew out SMU 51-7 as quarterback Riley Ferguson threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns. The game was over by halftime as the Tigers built a 48-7 lead.
What To Know About USF
The offense is a machine with quarterback Quinton Flowers running the show. Flowers is one of the nation’s best players that isn’t talked about, accounting for 27 total touchdowns and needs just 79 yards to reach the 1,000 yards rushing mark. Running back Marlon Mack is no slouch either, rushing for 11 touchdowns so far this season.
The defense needs their offense to score all the points they can, as the Bulls rank 114th in the nation in total defense and allows 30.2 yards per game. Slowing Ferguson and the aerial attack will be the top priority for USF.
What to Know About Memphis
Ferguson has been a fine replacement for Paxton Lynch, throwing for 2,565 yards and 21 touchdowns this season while Dorceus has given the Tigers a bit of a running game to go along with the assault in the air. Ferguson should have success throwing against a Bulls defense that allows 247.8 yards per game through the air.
It is simple what the Tigers want to do on defense: somehow keep Flowers from taking over the game. It is easier said than done. Flowers is 15th in the nation in total offense per game, and the Tigers give up a lot of yards on the ground. Slowing him down just a bit would be a success.
Advantages
Offense: USF. Flowers is back next season. Times in Tampa could be fun.
Defense: Memphis. Both give up a lot of yards, but the Tigers give up six points less a game.
Special Teams: Tie. He hasn’t been used a lot, but USF kicker Emilio Nadelman has made all seven field goal attempts this season.
Coaching: USF. Wille Taggart has the Bulls believing in big things.
Intangibles: USF. Keep winning and the AAC East could belong to the Bulls.
Matchup To Watch
Quinton Flowers vs. Memphis defense
I’m on repeat here, but Flowers is the key guy to stop when it comes to the USF offense.
USF vs. Memphis Betting Odds
Spread: USF -3
Over/Under: 73.5
USF vs. Memphis Prediction
With the bye week, the USF offense might not be clicking from the outset due to a little rust, but don’t expect Flowers to let this team slip up against the Tigers. Memphis will obviously score points, most likely a lot, against this Bulls defense that hasn’t stopped anyone yet this season. The Bulls will score the go-ahead touchdown in the 4th quarter as Flowers brings the Bulls to a 8-2 record and keeps the pressure on Temple in the AAC East.
USF vs. Memphis Score Prediction: USF 38, Memphis 35
