The Memphis Tigers and the Arkansas State Red Wolves meet Saturday in college football action from Centennial Bank Stadium. The Tigers come into this one after an opener versus Bethune-Cookman. Memphis would go on to win in blowout fashion. As for Arkansas State, they played Oklahoma in their first game of the year. In that one the Red Wolves were demolished in a huge loss. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Memphis Tigers
The Tigers didn’t have a ton of issues against Bethune-Cookman in their opener last weekend, despite leading by just three points (10-7) after the first quarter. Memphis turned it on in the next two periods, ultimately taking a 56-14 win. QB Seth Henigan bagged 334 yards, two scores and two picks. Sutton Smith and Blake Watson combined for five rushing scores.
Memphis kept Bethune-Cookman in check on defense as well. The Tigers gave up just 91 total yards (39 passing), four first downs, 1-of-16 on third- and fourth-down attempts and 1.9 yards per play. Memphis did cough up three turnovers on offense however, so it wasn’t a perfect effort.
Memphis Tigers Team Facts
Memphis has won each of its last nine games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
Memphis has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven road openers.
Memphis has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
Memphis has won the first quarter in each of its last five road games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
Each of Memphis’ last five September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Over on the Red Wolves’ side, they got an unenviable road matchup versus Oklahoma in their first game of the year. Arkansas State’s fortunes turned out about as badly as could be expected during a rough 73-0 blowout loss. QB JT Shrout had 148 yards passing, and Jaxon Dailey led a near-nonexistent rush with 11 yards on three totes.
Arkansas State was flat-out overwhelmed by the Sooners on both sides of the ball. The Red Wolves gave up 642 yards on defense (422 passing) along with 7.8 yards per play, 36 first downs and 11-of-14 on third-down tries. There’s not much to be happy about here, but it was a game in which Arkansas State had very little chance at staying close.
Arkansas State Red Wolves Team Facts
The favorite has won each of Arkansas State’s last 13 games.
Arkansas State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games at Centennial Bank Stadium.
Arkansas State has lost the first half in each of its last five games against opponents from the American Athletic Conference.
Six of Arkansas State’s last seven games against non-conference opponents at Centennial Bank Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
Arkansas State was one of only two FBS teams to lose 4+ games when leading at HT last season.
Arkansas State was one of only eight FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading after Q3 last season.
Memphis ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (12.2).
Memphis ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (2.4).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stick with Memphis. Probably not touching it, though. The Tigers had a pretty easy time taking out an overmatched Bethune-Cookman team in their opener, but there are still a few areas to improve on. Memphis went a tepid 4-of-12 on third downs in the win, and also posted three turnovers that stalled out potentially solid drives. Outside of that however, it was a great effort and there’s not much to complain about. As for Arkansas State, they’ll be able to keep a much better pace in this one but it’ll still be a tricky matchup. We’ll get a better idea of the Red Wolves’ capabilities here, but I don’t think they’ll stick a cover pace for the whole game.