Memphis vs. Houston Prediction, Game Preview

A week after losing for the first time, the Memphis Tigers (8-1) will try to remain in the West Division race when they visit the unbeaten Houston Cougars (9-0). Check out the Memphis vs. Houston prediction and game preview.

Memphis vs. Houston Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 14
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas
Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

The hotly-contested chase for the American West Division title took an unexpected turn in Week 10, when Memphis fell to Navy. The Tigers and the Cougars at TDECU Stadium, though, will still be a huge event Saturday night.

Houston and Memphis are ranked, both fighting for a chance to play in the inaugural American championship game, likely against Temple. Having stumbled badly at home last week, the Tigers must rebound immediately to stay in contention. Prior to the loss, Memphis was the highest ranked Group of Five team, with a quarterback, Paxton Lynch, sneaking into Heisman contention and red-letter win over Ole Miss on Oct. 17.

Now that Memphis has fallen, Houston is the last American team with a perfect mark. And the Cougars are climbing up the rankings following a narrow escape of Cincinnati, 33-30, last week. Rookie head coach Tom Herman has two tough tests left, three if his kids make it to the league title game. If Houston aces them, it’ll play in a Big Six bowl, and its coach will be high on a lot of ADs wish list.

Why Memphis Will Win

Navy is now in the rear view mirror.

The Midshipmen were a bad matchup for the Tigers, which now looks pretty obvious in hindsight. Too physical. Too tough to stop out of the triple-option. But Memphis will be back in its element this week, less likely to be hampered by an opponent’s approach. Lynch will get back to spreading the ball around and piling up numbers against a Houston defense that yielded 523 passing yards to Cincinnati last Saturday. The Tigers, like the Bearcats, employ many different weapons, with 10 different players scoring at least twice this fall.

Why Houston Will Win

Same diversity and explosiveness on offense. Better D.

Memphis has Lynch. Houston has Greg Ward Jr., setting the stage for one of the best quarterback duels of Week 11. The Cougars can also nuance their attack with the power running of 220-pound Kenneth Farrow, who’ll be channeling Navy FB Chris Swain this Saturday. However, the Cougars are constructed to make more money plays on defense. They’ve got more sacks and takeaways than the Tigers, and S Trevon Stewart and linebackers Steven Taylor and Elandon Roberts operate like guided missiles out of the second level.

Player Who Matters

The Houston O-line is banged up and a little out of rhythm. And it’s beginning to impact the offense’s output. The Cougars will start an all-freshman interior again this week, a concern against a Memphis front that was playing the run well before Navy came to town. In terms of yards per game, Houston is coming off its two worst games of 2015, so it’s incumbent upon rookie C Will Noble and guards Mason Denley and Colton Freeman to keep the Tigers from entering the backfield.

What’s Going To Happen?

Buckle up. This promises to be one of those last-team-with-the-ball kind of shootouts.

Memphis-Houston is going to be a treat, especially for fans who appreciate fireworks and a seesaw battle in a game with postseason implications. Lynch and Ward will trade blows, amassing a highlight reel of big plays in 60 minutes. The difference, though, will be a Cougar defense, which is more qualified to generate its own points and big plays. It’ll wreak just enough havoc in the form of pressures and turnovers to tip the scales in the home team’s favor.