Expert Top Pick of the Day: Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers
Top Pick of the Day
Houston travels to the Liberty Bowl to face Memphis in an important American Athletic Conference matchup. The Cougars are hoping to go to 1-1 in conference play and are 2-3 overall on the season. They have lost three straight games on the road to Memphis, with their last victory coming in 2014.
Memphis is the leader of the conference standings with a 2-0 record and has won four straight games to stand at 4-1 on the season. They returned 13 starters from last season when they finished 6-6 and were projected to finish fifth in the conference. However, they lead the AAC with a 2-0 record and are favored to win at home tonight.
Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Schedule
- Date: Friday, October 7, 2022
- Time: 7:30 PM EDT
- Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
Cougars Seek First Conference Win
Houston’s offense had problems moving the ball downfield last week against the secondary of Tulane during their 27-24 loss last Friday. Things have been more complicated than the Cougars expected in 2022.
However, on defense, they allow 34 points per game and almost 274 yards through the air. Senior defensive backs Art Green and Gervarrius Owens missed last week’s game and are listed as questionable in this matchup.
QB Clayton Tune has led the offense with 1,201 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions. His favorite target has been Nathaniel Dell, who has 33 receptions for 453 yards and five touchdowns. Brandon Campbell is the leading rusher for Houston with 253 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
Tigers Look To Extend Conference Lead
The Tigers were predicted to finish fifth in the AAC this season and have had an excellent start after their season-opening 49-23 loss to Mississippi State.
They’ve now had four straight wins by ten points or more and are at the top of the conference standings after defeating the Temple Owls 24-3 last Saturday. Tonight they have a chance to go 3-0 in the conference and put some distance between themselves and the Cougars in the standings.
Sophomore QB Seth Henigan has been outstanding this season for Memphis with 1,276 yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception.
Brandon Thomas leads all running backs for the Tigers with 211 yards on 54 carries with six touchdowns in 2022. Gabriel Rogers leads the Memphis receivers with 231 yards on 17 receptions.
Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Odds Comparison
The Cougars are 1-4 against the spread in their previous five games, and the total has gone over in eight of their last nine games on the road. Memphis is 2-6 against the spread in its previous eight games, and they are 18-2 in their last 20 games at home.
- DraftKings has the Tigers at -135, on a spread of -2.5, and the total is 57.5.
- FanDuel has the Tigers at -152, on a spread of -3, and the total is 57.5.
- Caesars has the Tigers at -135, on a spread of -2.5, and the total is 57.5.
Godds Pick or Prediction of the Game
After not performing well at home in the last several games, the Cougars return to where they’ve lost their previous three games in a row. Memphis is solid on their home field, and Henigan should have a good night against their struggling defense.
Godds Pick/Prediction: The Tigers win, and the total goes over.
