Friday night brings an exciting AAC clash as the Green Wave of Tulane host the Memphis Tigers in the Big Easy. The nation’s leading rusher Darrell Henderson will be in the spotlight down in New Orleans for Memphis, who dropped their AAC opener to Navy on September 8th, and this is the AAC Conference opener for Tulane, who returns home following a 49-6 loss at Ohio State last weekend. Will the high-octane, high-power offense of Memphis shine in the Big Easy, or will Tulane be able to stop the Tiger Train? Let’s look into the numbers and see if we can get our record to 13-3 ATS in our official picks.
Memphis vs. Tulane College Football Preview
Date/Time: Friday, September 28th at 8:00pm EST
TV: ESPN2
College Football Betting Odds from 5Dimes
College Football Betting Favorite: Memphis -14
Total: 66.5
Memphis Tigers
Memphis comes into this game sitting at 3-1 overall and 0-1 in AAC play. As previously mentioned, Memphis dropped their AAC opener to Navy, and they’re not going to want to go 0-2 in conference play, so we would expect full focus from the Tigers. The first two games of the season, Memphis won 111-57, then lost to Navy, and last week cruised past South Alabama 52-35. Memphis is led by QB Brady White. He’s a 6’3” Junior from Newhall, CA. White has completed over 72% of his passes this season, an amazing accomplishment in this early season. He’s also tossed 12TDs to only one INT. As great as White is, Junior Darrell Henderson is the centerpiece of the Memphis offense. The 5’9” stud back from Batesville, MS is averaging an astounding 12.2 ypc and has 8 TD this season. He’s also the leading rusher in the nation, with 177 yards per game. He’s a dark horse in Heisman conversations, and we look for him to go off here, against a Tulane defense that ranks 111th in the nation in stopping the run. Memphis ranks 10th in the nation in scoring offense, and they will certainly look to bust out Friday night.
Tulane Green Wave
Tulane sits at 1-3 which is good enough to be tied for 2nd in the America West Division of the AAC. They’ve had an impressive season to date, taking Wake Forest to OT and the Green Wave were tied with UAB with 10 minutes left in the game, until UAB pulled away for the win. Tulane is led by QB Jonathan Banks, a 6’3” Senior from Houston. He has only completed 49.5% of his passes this season, with 5TD and one INT, but he’s been sacked 14 times. This could present a huge problem for the team come Friday. The only team the Green Wave has beaten this season has been Nicholls State. If the Green Wave have a shot of upsetting the Tigers, then their feature receiver, Darnell “Money” Mooney, will have to have a career day. The 5’11’ Junior from Gadsden, AL has 22 receptions for 385 yards and 3 TD this season so far.
Sin City Sharp (@SinCitySharp on Twitter) Free Pick:
Memphis is on an absolute tear this season, and they’re putting up Madden-like numbers. Tulane, although they’re a decent team, just don’t have the defense to stop Memphis and the offense to hang with the “score at-will” offense we will see from Memphis on Friday. Tulane ranks #118 in offensive scoring, garnering less than 16 points per game. Tulane’s opponents are averaging 522.3 yards per game, which is #119 in the nation. Memphis will run all over them on Friday, I see the Tigers jumping out to a quick lead and never looking back. We will confidently side with the road favorite here, and fully back Memphis as they will get their first conference win in emphatic fashion.
Pick: Memphis -14
Kyle Hunter is 27-13 in his last 40 selections. All his guaranteed premium plays are here.
