by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Monday, Nov 01, 2021
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, November 6, 2021
Venue: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
Where to Watch: ESPNU
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: SMU -6, Memphis +6; Over/Under: 70.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: SMU -6, Memphis +6; Over/Under: 70.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: SMU -6, Memphis +6; Over/Under: 70.5 points
Season Record
SMU Mustangs: 7-1 (3rd place, AAC)
Memphis Tigers: 4-4 (10th place, AAC)
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SMU Mustangs vs Memphis Tigers Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
SMU Mustangs: lost on the road on Oct. 30 against the Houston Cougars 44-37.
Memphis Tigers: lost on the road on Oct. 22 against the UCF Knights 24-7.
SMU Mustangs Analysis
SMU is coming into this college football game with a 7-1 record overall and they are 3-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. This will be their 5th conference matchup of the year and they are in an alright position right now with a 3-1 record in their conference games this season. They opened their season with 7 straight wins but that streak was finally snapped in their last game against Houston. That game was close but they trailed for a lot of that game and in the end, they let it slip away from them in the fourth quarter. Tanner Mordecai was alright in that game as he completed 24/37 passes for 305 yards, 3 touchdown passes and 1 interception. Tre Siggers led the team in rushing with 44 yards and 1 touchdown on 13 carries but they did not really have much going for them on the ground in that one. Danny Gray led the receivers with 73 yards on 5 receptions while Reggie Roberson Jr. had 58 yards on 5 receptions. Rashee Rice, Siggers, and Jordan Kerley all caught 1 touchdown pass each in that game. Richard Moore led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles, 1 assisted one and 1 sack as well. He and DeVere Levelston both recorded 1 sack each in that game while no one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one. They have scored 336 points in their 8 games this season averaging 42 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 203 points against them allowing 25.4 PPG. Their offense is averaging 505.6 YPG while their defense is allowing 407.6 YPG.
Memphis Tigers Analysis
Memphis is coming into this game with a 4-4 record overall and they are 3-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. This will be the 5th conference matchup on their schedule this year and they are pretty much out of title contention with a 1-3 record in their conference games this season. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches and are coming into this one off of a 24-7 loss to UCF. They trailed from start to finish in that game as they were only able to score the 1 TD in the second quarter. Peter Parrish had a very bad game as he completed 31/48 passes for 215 yards and 3 interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 60 yards on 22 carries while Brandon Thomas ran in the only touchdown for them in that game. They did not have much of a ground game in that one though. Calvin Austin III led the receivers with 44 yards on 7 receptions in what was a very quiet day for the receiving corps. Tyrez Lindsey led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assisted ones. He also came away with the only interception in that game for them while Thomas Pickens recorded the only sack. They have scored 258 points in their 8 games this season averaging 32.3 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 237 points against them allowing 29.6 PPG. Their offense is averaging 463.5 YPG while their defense is allowing 410.4 YPG.
SMU vs Memphis Prediction
SMU is coming into this FBS game as a 6 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. SMU is coming off of their first loss of the season against Houston and that loss may have just bumped them out of the title game. They need to hope either Houston or Cincinnati loses a game now. They are going to be angry from that loss and will be looking to take that out on Memphis as they cannot afford another loss now. Memphis has just 1 win in their 4 conference games and they have not been playing well at all this season. They are coming off of a game where all they could score was 7 points on a UCF team that does not have a good defense. The best bet to place in this game is on SMU to cover the spread here as they will come for a big win in this game to salvage their title hopes.
SMU Memphis Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, November 6, 2021 (12:00 pm ET start time) is SMU 42 Memphis 21.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
SMU Mustangs: 101-104 O/U in all games. 35-38 O/U when the total is greater than or equal to 63. 16-23 O/U when the total is greater than or equal to 70. 7-10 O/U as a road favorite of 7 points or less. 58-70 O/U after playing a conference game. 55-61 O/U in games played on turf.
Memphis Tigers: 106-111 O/U in all games. 56-64 O/U as an underdog. 22-26 O/U as a home underdog. 56-54 O/U in home games. 66-75 O/U against conference opponents.
Key Injuries
SMU Mustangs: T. McDaniel (RB) Out indefinitely - Ankle injury.
Memphis Tigers: R. Clark (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed injury. T. Pickens (LB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed injury. S. Henigan (QB) Ques Sat - Hand injury.
Notable Quotes
“Had I known we were going to kick the field goal, for sure, I would have let it run down, and we would have just squibbed it.” - Sonny Dykes on Houston returning their kickoff for a touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Lee Dunn. He was the innovator of many amazing defensive schemes still used to this day and he helped our program tremendously during his time as a Tiger. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family." - Ryan Silverfield on the passing of Joe Dunn, a Memphis legend.
Starting Lineups
SMU Mustangs
WR Roberson Jr., Reggie
WR Rice, Rashee
WR Gray, Danny
TE Calcaterra, Grant
QB Mordecai, Tanner
RB Ulysses Bentley IV
Memphis Tigers
WR Austin III, Calvin
WR Rogers, Gabriel
WR Ivory, Javon
TE Sean Dykes
QB Henigan, Seth
RB Thomas, Brandon
TB Fleming, Cameron
Statistical Leaders
SMU Stats
Passing: T. Mordecai (2625)
Rushing: T. Siggers (518)
Receiving: D. Gray (682)
Touchdowns: D. Gray (7)
Memphis Stats
Passing: S. Henigan (2153)
Rushing: B. Thomas (661)
Receiving: C. Austin III (901)
Touchdowns: C. Austin III (8)
Coaches:
SMU Mustangs: Sonny Dykes (4th season)
Memphis Tigers: Ryan Silverfield (2nd season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
