Memphis Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. SMU in Week 12
By Dana Becker
Memphis football will try to continue their climb up the rankings when they host SMU in what should be nothing short of an old-west style shootout Saturday.
The Tigers (8-1, 5-1 AAC) can clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship game with a win either this week over the Mustangs (6-4, 3-3) or next when they play East Carolina (2-8, 1-5).
But for Memphis there still might be more at the end of the rainbow.
Win-out and defeat an unbeaten Central Florida for the league title, and the Tigers just might earn themselves an invite to a bowl game on New Year’s.
Since a 40-13 loss to UCF back in September, Memphis has reeled off wins over Connecticut, Navy, Houston, Tulane and Tulsa, scoring at least 30 points in all five games.
SMU, meanwhile, has watched as its hopes of a division title were dashed by losses to UCF by seven and Navy by three the last two Saturdays.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Memphis vs. SMU game:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Venue: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN News
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
The winner Saturday just might be the team that gets one key defensive stop.
Memphis enters averaging 42 points and 503 yards of total offense per game, with SMU countering at 40 points and 497 yards. Both teams like to sling the ball around, but can also get it done on the ground.
Riley Ferguson, a transfer from Tennessee, has thrown for almost 2,900 yards with 27 touchdowns this year. Ben Hicks has 2,849 yards and 24 passing scores of his own.
Trey Quinn is one to watch, as the Mustang wide receiver has 96 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight scores this year. How Memphis decides to play Quinn, Courtland Sutton and James Proche will decide this one. Last week vs. Navy, those three combined for 16 catches and four scores.
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Prediction
With so much on the line, expect the Tigers to come out a little tight. SMU has enough offensive talent to take advantage, but the Mustangs will need to play defense once Memphis and Ferguson settle in. We aren’t treated to too many great games this week, but this one has all the makings of a thriller.
Prediction: Memphis 45, SMU 44