Houston vs. Memphis Prediction
In a game with a lot of anticipated offense, will Memphis be able to outscore Houston enough to cover the spread today at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
137 Houston at 138 Memphis
Friday, November 23, 2018
Noon ET – Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Memphis is favored to win this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -7.5 points against Houston. The over/under total is currently listed at 75 points. The public betting currently is split right down the middle, 50/50.
Memphis on a win streak
After losses to UCF and Missouri, Memphis has won three straight games coming into this week, including a 28-18 win at SMU last weekend. Memphis is now 7-4 overall, 4-3 in the AAC, 7-4 against the spread and 6-5 with the over. The Tigers have covered the spread in three straight and five of their last six.
The Tigers are an offensive power as well, averaging 43.1 points and 523 yards per contest. Running back Darrell Henderson has run for 1,521 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the offense while Patrick Taylor Jr. is adding 766 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Brady White has thrown for 2,738 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions. Damonte Coxie is the leading receiver with 60 catches for 1,039 yards and seven scores. Defensively, Memphis is giving up 29.4 points and 397.5 yards per game.
Houston ends skid
Houston put an end to a brief 2-game losing streak last week with a 48-17 win over Tulane at home. The Cougars are 8-3 overall, 5-2 in the AAC, 6-5 against the spread and 7-4 with the over. They are also just 1-2 against the spread in their last three games.
The Cougars have one of the most productive offenses in the nation, averaging 47.8 points and 540.8 yards per game. The team took a pretty big blow when D’Eriq King suffered a season-ending knee injury. He had thrown for 2,982 yards and 36 touchdowns while rushing for 674 yards and 14 scores. Clayton Tune is now under center. He has 309 passing yards with four touchdowns. Patrick Carr is the leading rusher with 733 yards and five touchdowns while Marquez Stevenson has caught 61 passes for 892 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Houston is giving up 32.8 points and 477.9 yards per game. That includes nearly 300 passing yards per contest. The defense may get defensive tackle Ed Oliver back today, as he is dealing with a knee injury but listed as probable to play. He has missed the last four games.
College Football Betting Trends
Memphis
Memphis has covered the spread in five straight conference games and in seven of its last eight Friday games.
Houston
Houston is 6-1 against the spread in their last seven Friday games, but just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games.
Prediction:
I like Memphis to win this shootout, as the Tigers aren’t dealing with big injuries and the Tigers have an offense that should run right through this struggling Houston defense. The Cougars have potential to score, but don’t have their full compliment of players. Memphis should stand tall at home on defense on occasion. It will be an entertaining game, but I think Memphis can win by double digits.
College Football Prediction: Memphis -7.5
Related: Houston vs. Memphis Total Prediction