The No. 25 University of Central Florida Knights (6-2, 3-1 AAC), one of the American Athletic Conference’s strongest rushing offenses, are on the road to face the University of Memphis Tigers (4-4, 2-3 AAC), one of the conference’s softest ground defenses, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The Knights are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 58.5.UCF is coming off a 25-21 win over No. 20 Cincinnati at FBC Mortgage Stadium last Saturday. Mikey Keene was 15 of 21 for 176 yards. RJ Harvey ran 18 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Kobe Hudson caught five passes for 74 yards.
Memphis dropped a third straight game on October 22, falling 38-28 to No. 25 Tulane at Benson Field at Yulman Stadium. Seth Henigan threw for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He added 42 yards on the ground. Eddie Lewis scored twice. He had three receptions for 94 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Knights won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 24-7 victory in October. Mikey Keene tossed one touchdown for UCF, as Ryan O’Keefe scored once.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Knights are averaging 35.8 points per game for the season, 24th in FBS, and they are facing a Tigers defense that has surrendered 31.1 PPG (106th). Meanwhile, Memphis has scored 34.6 points a game this season, 31st in the country, and UCF is allowing 17.6 PPG (16th). The Knights rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (244.4, 8th), while they are 43rd in passing yards (265.9).
The Tigers are 123rd in passing yards allowed per game (283.5) and 44th against the run (126.6).Memphis is 27th in the nation in passing yards per game (284.6) and 86th in rushing (134.9), while the Knights are allowing 235.6 passing yards (75th) and 117.6 rushing yards per game (28th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, John Rhys Plumlee has thrown for 11 touchdowns (6 INT) and 235.4 yards per game to lead UCF in passing. In two away games this season, he has one TD (4 INT) and an average of 317.5 yards passing.
John Rhys Plumlee also leads the team in rushing with an average of 66.5 yards per game. He has seven touchdowns on the ground. Javon Baker is the Knights’ leading receiver with 58.2 yards a game and two TDs.Seth Henigan has 15 passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 279.5 yards per game through eight games to lead Memphis.
In four home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (1 INT) and an average of 234.2 yards. Asa Martin has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 40.3 yards a game through seven games. He has four total touchdowns, three rushing and one receiving. Caden Prieskorn has been a key target in the Tigers’ passing game. He has six touchdowns and a 47.2 yard per game average through eight appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UCF (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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