This is one of the tightest American Conference races ever. There are no unbeaten teams in conference play, and six teams enter the weekend with just one loss.
Two of them will clash on Friday when Memphis plays host to Tulane in a game that also has College Football Playoff implications. Both Memphis and Tulane have one conference loss.
Memphis was upset by UAB on Oct. 18 but has bounced back with league wins over USF and Rice. Tulane is looking to rebound from last week’s 48-26 loss at UTSA.
The loser of this game may be able to stay in the conference race, although it won’t be easy.
How to Watch Tulane-Memphis
The Tulane-Memphis game will be televised on ESPN and will take place at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 7.
Tulane-Memphis Betting Odds
As of this writing, Memphis is a six-point college football betting favorite via BetMGM. The Over/Under is 55.5.
Tulane-Memphis Records
Tulane (6-2, 3-1 American Conference)
Memphis (8-1, 4-1)
Tulane-Memphis Coaches
Tulane: Jon Sumrall (15-7 at Tulane; overall 38-11)
Memphis: Ryan Silverfield (50-21)
Tulane-Memphis Last Meeting
On Nov. 28, 2024, Memphis won 34-24 at Tulane.
Tulane-Memphis Preview
For Tulane
Tulane’s other loss was 45-10 at Ole Miss earlier this season. The Green Wave have Power Four wins over Northwestern and Duke. In last week’s 48-26 loss at UTSA, Tulane trailed 31-12 at halftime and never seriously challenged in the second half.
UTSA quarterback Owen McCown picked apart the Tulane defense, completing 31 of 33 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns. Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff completed 14 of 28 throws for 194 yards, one touchdown, but two interceptions. He was replaced by Brendan Sullvian, who completed 6 of 7 throws for 63 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In its previous two games, Tulane won close battles, beating East Carolina 26-19 and Army 24-17.
Retzlaff, a transfer from BYU, has thrown seven touchdown passes and three interceptions. The three picks have come in the last two games. Retzlaff has also rushed for a team-high 513 yards and nine scores.
Tulane has not been overly impressive on offense or defense. The Green Wave are 10th in the American in scoring offense, averaging 25.9 points. They are seventh in scoring defense, allowing 25.5 points.
The receiving corps is balanced with six players having 11 or more receptions, led by Omari Hayes (25 receptions, 376 yards, and one touchdown).
Harvey Dyson leads the team with 4.5 sacks. Safety Jack Tchienchou has a team-high 51 tackles.
For Memphis
Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 18 of 22 passes for 225 yards (no touchdowns or interceptions) and rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in last week’s win over Rice.
Lewis has completed 69% of his passes for 1,869 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Like Retzlaff, Lewis is his team’s leading rusher with 557 yards and eight touchdowns.
Receiver Cortez Braham Jr., a transfer from Nevada, has 39 receptions for 692 yards and seven TDs.
Memphis is third in the American in scoring offense, averaging 37.7 points per game, and second in scoring defense (19.2 PPG allowed).
Linebacker Sam Brumfield leads Memphis in both tackles (66) and sacks (4.5).
Tulane-Memphis Prediction
I predict Memphis will win and cover the spread.
The reason is the play of Lewis, who started his career at Colorado and spent the previous two years at Nevada. He has performed at a high level in many of Memphis’ big wins.
During a 34-31 win over South Florida, he threw for 307 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also had 35 yards rushing and even one reception for 14 yards. In a 32-31 victory over Arkansas, he threw for 199 yards and one touchdown and ran for 103 yards and two scores.
Another area to look at is red zone offense. Memphis has converted on 38 of 39 trips to the red zone (97.4%). That included 32 touchdowns, and Memphis has made 6 of 6 field goals there.
Tulane has converted 29 of 34 red zone chances (85.3%), but a difference is that the Green Wave have scored 17 touchdowns and 12 field goals.
Another number to look at is penalties. Memphis is penalized 45 yards per game, while Tulane is flagged 67.9 yards per game, which is 13th in the 14-team American Conference.
I think Memphis will look to attack a Tulane defense that allowed 523 total yards in last week’s loss to UTSA.
Tulane is certainly capable of bouncing back, but Memphis, which is 4-0 at home, is my pick here.
