Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Predictions, Odds, Picks

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Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Betting Odds

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Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Betting Resources

• Matchup: AAC
• Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
• Venue: TDECU Stadium
• Location: Houston, Texas
• TV-Time: ESPN2 - 9:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• College Football Playoff Betting

Memphis Tigers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 5-5
• ATS: 4-6
• O/U: 3-6-1
• ATS - Home: 4-2
• ATS - Away: 0-4

Calvin Austin III is one of the most talented receivers in the country. Austin leads the AAC in receiving yards, and he is a lock to be named First Team All-AAC. Unfortunately, he has been slowed by injuries and is not the same explosive threat he was earlier in the campaign.

That has hurt the big play ability of this offense. Tight end Sean Dykes is the second leading receiver on the Tigers, and the only other player with more than 300 receiving yards is Javon Ivory.

Seth Henigan is not the most accurate quarterback, but he has averaged at least 7.4 YPA in each of Memphis’ last six games. Henigan can be a somewhat effective runner, but Brandon Thomas and Rodrigues Clark are both averaging 5.8 YPC in this offense.

Memphis has not been able to force a lot of turnovers this season. Opponents are turning the ball over less than once a game against the Tigers, but they are allowing just 5.2 yards per play. The front seven has effectively bottled up the run, so it won’t be easy for Houston to move the ball against them.

Houston Cougars Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 9-1
• ATS: 6-4
• O/U: 6-4
• ATS - Home: 2-3
• ATS - Away: 4-1

Clayton Tune has had a nice season for Houston. Tune is completing almost 70% of his passes for 8.4 YPA, and he has only thrown two interceptions since the season opening loss to Texas Tech. He has thrown 14 touchdowns without an interception over the last five games.

Nathaniel Dell is the No. 1 receiver on the team. The Florida native has 58 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, and he was superb in wins over SMU and South Florida. He had just two catches last week against Temple, but Houston’s offense didn’t need to do much to beat the Owls. Tight end Christian Trahan is the second leading receiver.

The Cougars have had some issues on offense though. They are averaging under 4.0 YPC, and the offensive line has given up 28 sacks. Leading rusher Alton McCaskill has run for 254 yards and five touchdowns over the last two weeks, but Ta’Zhawn Henry has struggled outside of a 97-yard touchdown run against USF two weeks ago.

Houston’s defense has done a great job stopping the run this season. Opponents are averaging just 3.2 YPC and 104.3 YPG on the ground against this front seven. Those numbers rank in the top 10% of FBS teams, and they also rank ninth in total defense (313.6 YPG).

The Houston Cougars have gone OVER the point total in five of their last seven games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Memphis Tigers

• Record: 5-5
• VI Ranking: 79
• Points Scored: 315
• Points Allowed: 292
• PS/G: 31.5 (49th)
• PA/G: 29.2 (87th)

Inside the Stats - Houston Cougars

• Record: 9-1
• VI Ranking: 19
• Points Scored: 389
• Points Allowed: 208
• PS/G: 38.9 (10th)
• PA/G: 20.8 (26th)

Key Players to Watch

• MEM: Seth Hanigan - QB (187/306, 2,778 yards, 21 TD, 6 INT)
• MEM: Calvin Austin III - WR (67 catches, 1,026 yards, 8 TD)
• UH: Clayton Tune - QB (203/291, 2,448 yards, 21 TD, 6 INT)
• UH: Alton McCaskill - RB (144 carries, 732 yards, 14 TD)

Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Betting Conclusion

This will be something of a back-and-forth game, but Houston will eventually pull away and pick up the win. There won’t be too much offense on Friday night, making the under a solid bet.

Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Betting Trends

• Houston has gone OVER the point total in five of its last seven games.
• Houston has covered the spread in four of its last six games.
• Memphis has failed to cover the spread in four straight road games.
• Memphis has gone UNDER the point total in 10 of its last 14 games.

VegasInsider Staff

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