Iowa State Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Memphis in Liberty Bowl

1. Memphis will finish 2017 on a high note in a blowout of Iowa State

Memphis has been putting away opponents left and right all season long. Their two losses both came against undefeated American Athletic Conference champion UCF. Otherwise, the Tigers averaged a 50-30 victory every other time they took the field. And given that they don’t have to play the Knights a third time this season, we will see a similar result in the final Memphis game of 2017.

Riley Ferguson is going to start the game hot, and his success in the air will open up everything else for the offense. The defense is going to give Iowa State fits, as they lock down standout receiver Allen Lazard and force the Cyclones to try to move the ball on the ground. An Iowa State team that has made its name eking out close wins will be forced into a deeper and deeper deficit.

The Tigers are favored by 3.5 points, but that line could easily be twice or three times as high. Memphis will not give Iowa State much room to operate. Protecting their home turf, the Tigers are going to come out hot early and stay hot throughout the Liberty Bowl.

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In the end, Mike Norvell’s team will reach 11 wins for the first time in school history. It won’t be close, as the Tigers run away with a double-digit win on their home field. Iowa State will have to console itself with getting to the postseason in the first place, because they will have no shot at their first bowl victory in a decade and a half.