Memphis at Tulsa 10/9/21 College Football Picks and Predictions
Photo by Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-4) vs Memphis Tigers (3-2)
Game Info: Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium)
Betting Odds: Tulsa Golden Hurricane -3 -- Over/Under: 61 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN2 Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
Memphis faces Tulsa on Saturday, October 9th, at Chapman Stadium for a Week 6 AAC college football matchup.
Memphis is coming off a major disappointment in its loss to Temple in Week 5. Not only was Memphis an 11-point favorite in that contest, but the Tigers were also up 17-0 at the start of the game and blew the lead in the end. Memphis has now lost back-to-back games after pulling off a big upset itself with a win over Mississippi State. 3-2 on the year and 2-3 against the spread, Memphis will be looking for its first conference win of the season. Memphis' offense is performing the way we expected it would, scoring 37 points per game and earning 476 yards per game. Memphis has been an offensive powerhouse in the AAC for years, and that has not changed despite a few bad losses. Memphis' defense has a lot of issues, however, as the Tigers are allowing 343 passing yards per game, 465 total yards per game, and getting virtually no pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Memphis is only earning sacks on 2.4% of its opponents' passing plays, which puts the Tigers near the bottom of the country in that stat. Memphis has to be stronger defensively if it wants a successful season in the AAC and a bowl game.
Tulsa was embarrassed on its home field last week in a 45-10 loss to AAC-rival Houston. Tulsa was down 28-3 at halftime of that game and could not get anything going on either side of the ball. Tulsa is only three weeks removed from giving Ohio State all it could handle on the road, but the Golden Hurricane are 1-4 on the year. Tulsa is also 2-3 against the spread this season after failing to cover in both of its last two games. Tulsa is scoring 22 points per game but earning 450 yards per game, which tells me that Tulsa has had issues finishing drives and coughing up the football. Tulsa is -4 in the turnover battle this season, so if the turnovers start to go their way rather than against, Tulsa should have a lot more success.
Tulsa opens a 3-point favorite and the total is set at 61. I think we see the true colors of these two teams on Saturday. This is a rebuilding season for Memphis, as its defense is just not good enough and the offense, albeit strong, cannot undo what the defense does each week. Tulsa should be able to put 35 or more points in this one and that should be enough for a win and a cover.
Ronald’s Pick Tulsa -3
AUTHOR: Ronald Romanelli
Mitch's Take...
