Memphis Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Tulsa in Week 10

Memphis football enters November ranked and a half-game ahead of SMU in the West division of the American Athletic Conference.

The Tigers, ranked 22nd in the nation, hit the road this Friday night for a date with division rival Tulsa.

Memphis (7-1) head coach Mike Norvell returns to his former stomping grounds, as he was an assistant with the Golden Hurricane (2-7) before taking over for Justin Fuente.

Riley Ferguson, a former Tennessee recruit who played in the junior college ranks before landing at Memphis, has thrown for 2,583 yards with 23 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He has two games with over 400 yards, including 471 vs. Houston, and also threw for 398 in an upset of UCLA back in September.

This is a total “trap game” for the Tigers, as they host SMU on Nov. 18 in what could ultimately decide the division winner and who moves on to meet either Central Florida or South Florida for the AAC championship.

Memphis has been on a mission since a late September loss to UCF by 27 points on the road, winning four in a row. During that time, they have scored 70, 30, 42 and 56 points in victories over UConn, Navy, Houston and Tulane.

The Tigers are also seeking redemption for a 59-30 setback at home last season to the Golden Hurricane, who are coming off a 38-34 loss to SMU on the road recently. They also upset Houston in their last home game back on Oct. 14, 45-17.

Despite a 2-7 record, Tulsa could easily be in contention for the league title with a little more good luck. Four of the seven losses this year have come by seven points or less, including two by three and another by four.

Luke Skipper appears to have gained hold of the starting quarterback job, with D’Angelo Brewer the leading rusher. Brewer is 20 yards from reaching 1,000 and has eight touchdowns. Shamari Brooks, who has 10 touchdowns and 687 yards, is doubtful for the game with an injury.

Here’s how you can watch the Memphis Tigers face off against AAC foe the Tulsa Golden Hurricane:

Date: Friday, Nov. 3
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tulsa, Okla.
Venue: H.A. Chapman Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

It appears that Memphis knows what they are going to get out of Ferguson on a week-to-week basis. He has thrown for at least 279 yards in all but one game, which was also the only contest this year in which he didn’t complete at least one passing touchdown.

The lone loss for the Tigers was that 40-13 setback to UCF, a game in which Ferguson threw three of his seven interceptions. It was also the only time he has completed less than 60 percent of his throws since the opener.

If Ferguson is struggling, the running game will likely follow. Memphis was about as balanced as possible last week in a win over Tulane, with Ferguson throwing for 298 yards and the team rushing for 259, led by Darrell Henderson’s 112.

The Memphis defense also held Dontrell Hilliard and the Green Wave to just 123 yards on 52 carries in that game.

Brewer will test that defense, as he returned last week and rushed for 156 yards vs. SMU. Skipper is also a dual-threat, as he rushed for 65 yards in helping Tulsa rack up 246 yards on the ground.

If the Golden Hurricane can keep the ball out of Ferguson’s hands with long drives that result in touchdowns and not field goals, they will have a great opportunity to catch Memphis looking towards next week and pull the upset.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round after Week 9

Prediction

As just mentioned, Tulsa has the right skills in place to give Memphis troubles. They are also playing in the biggest game of the year, as they will be on national television and have the eye of the college football world. Brewer and Skipper will look to give head coach Philip Montgomery a ray of sunshine with a victory over the ranked Tigers.

Final Score: Tulsa 45, Memphis 44