Tulsa @ Memphis Game Preview and Pick

The NFL Thursday Night Football game isn’t the only football game being played tonight as there will also be an American Athletic Conference showdown between two teams at the bottom of the conference standings. The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes will be heading to Memphis to take on the Tigers. Both teams enter on a losing streak and looking to get back into the win column, I’ll break down the game along with my pick for the game.

Game Preview

Tulsa enters tonight with a (3-6) record and coming off back-to-back conference losses. The Golden Hurricanes only have one win in the AAC conference this season and a large reason for that is their defense who is ranked 117th in the country in opponent points per game. Tulsa has allowed 30 or more points to be scored in six of their nine games this season and is in for a battle tonight against a Memphis team averaging 33.9 points per game.

The Golden Hurricanes haven’t been able to establish a strong running or passing game on offense this season either. They have a very balanced attack on offense but rank in the middle of college football in both rushing and passing statistical categories.

Quarterback Davis Brin has been the lone bright spot for this offense throwing for 17 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions so far this season. Brin has the chance to put up big numbers tonight against a Memphis defense allowing an average of 31.6 points per game.

Memphis enters tonight on a four-game losing streak primarily because their defense wouldn’t be able to stop air with the way they're playing. The Tigers offense has done its best to stay in games and has made three of those four losses only one-possession games so if they want to break this losing streak the change must come on the defensive side of the ball.

Quarterback Seth Henigan is having a solid sophomore season throwing for 2,520 yards and 16 touchdowns. Henigan and tight end Caden Prieskorn have the potential to put up big numbers tonight against this Tulsa defense.

Pick for the Game

Memphis opened up as (-6) point favorites at home but it has been bet up a bit too (-6.5) where it sits now across most sportsbooks. The favorite Tigers will be my play for this game. Tulsa is the exact team the Tigers need to break this losing streak as they will have the ability to face their first mediocre offense since week five against Temple.

The Tigers have played four straight high-powered offenses so this will be the first game in a while this Tigers defense has the opportunity to get back on track. It’s no question Memphis will be able to put up points tonight it will just be a matter of coming up with stops and creating turnovers.

Getting this number inside a football number is a huge reason for me siding with the Tigers in this one as well. I know Memphis will put up points but getting this number gives comfort knowing they just need to win by a touchdown even if the defense struggles again.