The Memphis Tigers are on the road to face the South Florida Bulls on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Memphis is 4-1 (0-1 AAC) and won 24-7 at home over Middle Tennessee in Week 5. Meanwhile, South Florida (2-3, 0-1) is coming off an open week but is on a two-game losing streak after losing to Tulane and Miami.
Memphis vs South Florida: Preview
The Memphis Tigers are seven-point favorites and the over/under is set at 59.5 points. They have been solid this season and also had an open week last week.
Quarterback Seth Henigan went 26 for 41 for 227 yards against Middle Tennessee but didn't throw a touchdown. After a slow start, he said that the offense started to turn things around.
"We started the game a little slow," Henigan said in the postgame press conference. "We did not have the right intensity. We adjusted well as the game progressed. There are some plays we left out there. You can’t hang your head after a win."
So far this season, Henigan has gone 125 for 195 for 1,339 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions while running back Mario Anderson Jr. has rushed for 438 yards and eight touchdowns.
On defense, the Tigers have been led by linebackers Elijah Herring and Chandler Martin who have 3.5 and 3.0 sacks respectively. The Tigers have forced five fumbles and recorded three interceptions.
On the other hand, South Florida struggled offensively against Tulane in Week 5 as QB Byrum Brown went 12 for 18 for 134 yards and was replaced by Bryce Archie following an injury.
The Bulls rushed for just 111 yards and coach Alex Golesh said their blocking and running game has been an issue. He also did not give an update on Brown.
“We haven’t run the ball like we need to," Golesh said. "We haven’t protected the quarterback like we need to. We haven’t sustained drives like we need to… We got to go back. We got to get healthy. We got to figure out exactly what the heck it is, and that’s on me to figure out, and I will."
USF has been led by RB Kelley Joiner who has rushed for 248 yards and four touchdowns. Seth Atkins has been the top receiver with 27 receptions for 309 yards but he has yet to find the endzone.
On defense, Kajuan Banks has two sacks while as a team, USF has forced four fumbles and recorded four interceptions. Mac Harris leads the team with 30 tackles.
Ultimately, South Florida's defense is a big issue and Memphis is expected to cruise to a win. The Tigers have been solid this season and should be able to limit their opponent's offense for a double-digit victory.
Prediction: Memphis 31, USF 17
Memphis vs South Florida: Betting Tips
Tip 1: Memphis -7 (-112)
Tip 2: Under 59.5 (-110)
Tip 3: Mario Anderson Jr. to score a touchdown.
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