Free College Football Picks Today: Southern Methodist University Mustangs vs Memphis Tigers 11/26/22

The University of Memphis Tigers (6-5, 3-4 AAC) and Southern Methodist University Mustangs (6-5, 4-3 AAC) face off Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium for their regular season finales. The Mustangs are 4.5-point favorites, and the total is 69.

Memphis is coming off a dominant 59-0 win over North Alabama at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium last Saturday. Seth Henigan threw for 218 yards and a touchdown. An’Darius Coffey ran 14 times for 83 yards. Eddie Lewis caught three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

SMU lost 59-24 to No. 21 Tulane at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium last Thursday. Tanner Mordecai was 32 of 49 for 329 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Tyler Lavine carried 18 times for 82 yards and added seven catches for 62 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Tigers won the only game between the teams last season, a 28-25 victory in November. Seth Henigan threw two touchdowns for Memphis. Tanner Mordecai tossed two touchdowns for SMU, as Danny Gray found the end zone twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Tigers are averaging 35.5 points per game for the season, 21st in FBS, and they are facing a Mustangs defense that has surrendered 35.0 PPG (121st). Meanwhile, SMU has scored 38.8 points a game this season, 10th in the nation, and Memphis is allowing 26.7 PPG (71st).

The Tigers rank 24th in the nation in passing yards per game (279.1) and 81st in rushing (141.2). The best opportunities are likely to come on the ground, as the Mustangs are 122nd in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (207.8).

Against the pass, SMU is 91st (238.8).SMU has been one of the nation’s top passing teams, averaging 326.2 passing yards per game (7th), while ranking 63rd in rushing yards (158.7). The Tigers are allowing 244.6 passing yards (94th) and 122.6 rushing yards per game (29th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 11 games, Seth Henigan has thrown for 18 touchdowns (7 INT) and 272.7 yards per game to lead Memphis in passing. In four away games this season, he has eight TDs (4 INT) and an average of 324.8 yards passing. Jevyon Ducker leads the team in rushing with an average of 34.5 yards a game over 11 games. He has five touchdowns on the ground and four through the air.

Caden Prieskorn is the Tigers’ leading receiver with 49.8 yards a game and six TDs. Tanner Mordecai has 29 passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 307.8 yards per game through 10 games to lead SMU. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 18 TDs (4 INT) and an average of 280.8 yards.

Tyler Lavine has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 54.1 yards a game through nine games. He has seven touchdowns. Rashee Rice has been a workhorse in the Mustangs’ aerial attack. He has nine touchdowns and a 109.8 yard per game average through 11 appearances.