Saturday, September 27, 2014

Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Memphis (2-1) fared well in their previous game against a ranked team this year, falling just 35-42 at #11 UCLA in week two. They hope the second time is the charm with another tough non-conference opponent in the #10 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0). With back to back games against Alabama and Texas A&M in the coming weeks, the Rebels have to make sure they don't fall into the dangerous trap game scenario.

In addition to the loss to UCLA, Memphis has a 63-0 pounding of a horrible Austin Peay team on their resume to go along with a hard fought 36-17 win over Middle Tennessee a week ago. They've been led by a solid running game featuring Doroland Dorceus (218 yards, 4TD) and Brandon Hayes (192 yards, 1TD) to fuel a rushing attack that grinds up 242.7 YPG. The biggest benefactor of the ground attack has been QB Paxton Lynch, an evolving sophomore that has completed 66% of his passes for 5TD and 2 INT. The Tiger defense will have its hands full with Bo Wallace and the #8 passing attack of Ole Miss but Memphis has been up to the task so far allowing only 221 YPG.

Wallace has thrown for the 24th most yards in the FBS (1023) thus far in 2014 and has full control of the offense completing 75.5% of his passes. The TD to INT ratings for Wallace aren't the best at 9 to 4 but his 190 rating is 5th best in the nation. After a season opening 35-13 win versus Boise State, the Rebels have throttled two inferior opponents in a 41-3 win at Vanderbilt to go with a 56-15 win over UL-Lafayette. Easy opponents or not, the Ole Miss defense has only allowed 10.3 PPG which is the 3rd best in the nation.

Ole Miss were 3 TD favorites to start the week against Memphis despite the risk of the Rebels looking ahead to their early-season SEC battles. The Tigers played tough at UCLA and has been down that road before, although the Saturday night scheduling doesn't do them any favors in front of the rabid Ole Miss crowd.

Memphis Tigers Betting Trends

Memphis Tigers are 3-0-0 Against the Spread

Memphis Tigers are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Ole Miss Rebels Betting Trends

Ole Miss Rebels are 3-0-0 Against the Spread

Ole Miss Rebels are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Memphis Tigers

09/06/14 DL Martin Ifedi Knee out indefinitely

Ole Miss Rebels

09/21/14 WR Collins Moore Knee "?" Saturday vs. Memphis
09/21/14 LB DeMarquis Gates Thigh "?" Saturday vs. Memphis
09/21/14 RB I'Tavius Mathers Toe "?" Saturday vs. Memphis
09/21/14 RB Jordan Wilkins Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Memphis
09/15/14 LB Deterrian Shackelford Ankle probable
09/09/14 WR Sammie Epps None expected to redshirt
09/08/14 TE Matt Brown Fibula out indefinitely
08/28/14 DB Carlos Davis ACL out for season
08/28/14 DB Chief Brown Achilles out for season
08/28/14 DB Tee Shepard Toe out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Ole Miss

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