The Memphis Tigers (5-2, 2-1 American) return home to Tennessee after a disappointing loss last week and are set to take on the East Carolina Pirates (3-3, 1-1 American) for some Thursday night American Conference college football action at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Memphis was on a roll heading into last week’s road matchup against Tulane with a 5-1 record and a three-game winning streak. The Tigers were averaging 47.3 points per game during that stretch while allowing just 14 points per game before running into the Green Wave.
The Tigers turned the ball over six times in the loss to Tulane, with quarterback Marcus Stokes accounting for five of them. Memphis also missed a field goal toward the end of the first quarter while holding a 3-0 lead before being outscored 23-7 in the second quarter. Tulane went on to win 31-17, snapping the Tigers’ winning streak.
East Carolina also suffered a disappointing loss last week, snapping a three-game winning streak of its own. The Pirates held a 14-9 lead over UAB heading into the fourth quarter, but the Blazers put together a 10-play, 93-yard scoring drive with under two minutes remaining, capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass and a successful two-point conversion to send the game to overtime tied at 17.
UAB struck first in overtime with a touchdown to go up 24-17 and take its first lead of the game, but East Carolina failed to match that score on its possession. Pirates quarterback Emory Williams was intercepted at the UAB 20-yard line, and the ball was returned for an 80-yard pick-six to end the game.
Both teams will look to bounce back Thursday night in an important American Conference matchup that could have major implications for the rest of their seasons. Find our East Carolina vs. Memphis predictions, picks, and odds below ahead of Thursday night’s conference matchup.
East Carolina vs. Memphis Odds
Memphis is listed as a sizable home favorite at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook as it looks to get back into the win column:
East Carolina vs. Memphis Predictions
Don’t forget to check out all the available football betting markets at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook for Thursday night’s game, including our East Carolina vs. Memphis prediction below:
Memphis vs. East Carolina Best Bet: Memphis -10.5 (-110)
East Carolina and Memphis are both coming off tough losses a week ago, and it will be up to them to regroup and focus on what’s ahead. With that said, Memphis has the benefit of playing at home Thursday night and has simply been the better team this season.
Now, it is worth mentioning that East Carolina beat Memphis 31-27 last season, but these aren’t the same teams as they were then. It’s also important to note that the Pirates have hung around in nearly all their losses this season, with the only real blowout being a 48-10 defeat to No. 13 Alabama back in Week 1.
However, four of Memphis’ five wins this season have been by 18 or more points, highlighting just how dangerous this team can be when it’s protecting the football, unlike last week. The Tigers also notably beat UAB 38-13 two weeks ago, the same team the Pirates just lost to in overtime last week.
Memphis’ offense is also far more productive and explosive than East Carolina’s. The Tigers are averaging 35.4 points and 511.7 total yards of offense per game this season, both significantly higher than the Pirates’ averages.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes last week against Tulane, as he turned the ball over five times. Stokes has been playing very well this season, throwing 18 touchdown passes and just six interceptions, although three of those interceptions came in last week’s loss to Tulane.
Memphis also features a dominant run game led by running back Jaylin Carter, who has been nearly unstoppable this season. He’s averaging seven yards per carry with eight rushing touchdowns and an American Conference-leading 780 rushing yards. Carter also has a receiving touchdown this season and still found success last week against Tulane with 135 rushing yards despite the disappointing loss.
As long as Memphis responds to last week’s loss and protects the football, Thursday night’s game could result in another comfortable win for the Tigers.
- Memphis vs. East Carolina Spread Pick for Oct. 22: Memphis -10.5 (-110)
East Carolina vs. Memphis Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for Thursday night’s American Conference showdown in Memphis:
- Memphis is attracting more support on the moneyline, with 64% of wagers and 63% of the money.
- East Carolina, on the other hand, is drawing more spread support, with 58% of wagers and 63% of the money.
- The Over is generating a large share of the action on the total, with 78% of wagers and 87% of the money.
East Carolina vs. Memphis Game Info
- š Where: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN
- š Date: Thursday, Oct. 22
- ā° Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET
- šŗš» TV/Streaming: ESPN2
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Referenced odds are subject to change.
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