SMU at Memphis odds, picks and predictions
The SMU Mustangs (8-2, 6-0 AAC) and Memphis Tigers (8-2, 5-1) meet Saturday at Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the SMU vs. Memphis odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
SMU enters what is potentially a play-in game for the AAC Championship Game with a 6-game winning streak, while going 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past 5 contests.
The Mustangs have found their sea legs on offense after a slow start, going for 31 or more points in 6 consecutive outings. The Over is 3-1 in the past 4 outings.
Memphis has a shot at playing for the conference title, but a loss would eliminate it from contention. The Tigers have gone back to the combination which has worked well for them over the past few years.
Memphis runs wild on offense, scoring mad points, and it plays just enough defense to get the job done. It has won 4 in a row, scoring 44 or more points in each, while allowing 38 or more points in the past 3 contests. Yeah, the Over is 4-0 in the past 4 outings, rather easily, too.
Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by Paste BN Sports
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
SMU at Memphis odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): SMU -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Memphis +270 (bet $100 to win $270)
- Against the spread (ATS): SMU -8.5 (-105) | Memphis +8.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 65 (O: -110 | U: -110)
SMU at Memphis picks and predictions
Prediction
SMU 46, Memphis 43
Moneyline
SMU (-350) will set you back quite a bit, as you must risk 3 1/2 times your potential return. That's dangerous, especially on the road, and especially against a Memphis (+270) team with an explosive offense. This is going to be a video game-like game, and it is going to be a headache for bettors, with the scoreboard changing rapidly.
PASS.
Against the spread
MEMPHIS +8.5 (-110) may or may not win this huge AAC battle, but it is going to be fun either way.
SMU -8.5 (-110) has won 6 in a row, covering 4 of the past 5 games. The Mustangs are much better defensively than the Tigers, allowing 21 or fewer points in 5 of the past 6 outings. That will certainly be put to the test in the Liberty Bowl, however.
SMU has rolled up 474.0 total yards per game, and 40.5 PPG, ranking in the top 10 in the nation in both categories. Memphis is right there, though, with 39.7 PPG, and it's air attack is impressive. The defense struggles, and that will be why Memphis falls in a close, high-scoring game, but it should keep it within a single score.
Over/Under
OVER 65 (-110) is a shockingly low number considering we have 2 teams averaging right around 40 points per contest.
I guess the thinking by the books is that SMU's defense will be able to slow down the Memphis offense, but this isn't Temple or Tulsa that the Mustangs are facing. This Tigers team scores quick, and it scores frequently. Enjoy the ride, Over bettors.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from Paste BN Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire