SMU vs. Memphis Total Pick
Is No. 18 Memphis set to find itself in another shootout when it takes on SMU later today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Memphis is the favorite at home, as the Tigers are getting odds of -12.5 points against the Mustangs. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 69 points, which is down a touchdown since opening at 76. Memphis has won three straight meetings with SMU and the two have hit the under in their last two encounters. The public is currently putting 68 percent of the wagers on Memphis at home. Today’s game takes place from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee and will air live on ESPN News.
SMU is coming off a 43-40 loss at Navy last week for its second straight defeat. The Mustangs are now 6-4 on the season and 3-3 in conference play. SMU is 5-5 with the over/under this year, but the Mustangs have hit the under in four of their last five games. SMU has an offense that can be tough to stop, averaging 39.6 points and 497.1 yards per contest. Ben Hicks has thrown for 2,849 yards and 24 touchdowns to lead the offense while Trey Quinn has caught 96 passes with 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. Xavier Jones is the leading rusher with 806 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, SMU is giving up 32.2 points and 469.1 yards per game. That average includes 205.5 rushing yards per contest.
Memphis is coming off a 41-14 win at Tulsa two weeks ago to improve to 8-1 on the season and 5-1 in the AAC. The Tigers are 6-3 with the over this season, hitting it in four of their five games at home. Memphis also has a tough offense to stop, as it is posting 42.3 points and 502.9 yards per game this season. Riley Ferguson has thrown for 2,881 yards and 27 touchdowns to lead the offense while Anthony Miller has 67 catches for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns. Darrell Henderson is the leading rusher with 776 yards and four scores. Defensively, Memphis is giving up 31.2 points and 449.6 yards per game.
This game should definitely have plenty of points, but can they get to 70? The last two years has seen Memphis completely dismantled SMU, holding them to just seven points over two games. Memphis doesn’t quite have the same defense to do that and SMU has proven to score multiple times against tough defenses. Memphis has hit the over in nine of its last 10 at home while SMU has hit it in six of its last eight on the road. Despite a high number, I think the over hits tonight as well.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: SMU/MEMPHIS OVER 69