Louisiana Monroe at Memphis College Football Picks & Predictions 8/31/2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Liberty Bowl Memorial

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Louisiana Monroe Warhawks head to Liberty Bowl Memorial to play the Memphis Tigers on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Memphis as 24.5 point favorites. The Warhawks were 6-6-0 against the spread last season and their over/under record was 9-3-0. The Tigers were 5-8-0 against the spread and their over/under mark was 8-5-0.

Valuable Louisiana Monroe Warhawks Betting Trends

The Louisiana Monroe Warhawks were 9-3-0 against the over/under last season

The Louisiana Monroe Warhawks were 6-6-0 against the spread last year

Important Memphis Tigers Betting Trends

The Memphis Tigers were 8-5-0 against the over/under last season

The Memphis Tigers were 5-8-0 against the spread last year

Key Louisiana Monroe Warhawks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Memphis Tigers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Louisiana Monroe Warhawks were 104th in the country in points scored with 280 last season. They ran 876 plays last year for 2,304 yards, which ranked them 99th in Division 1 in total offense. The Warhawks averaged 5.1 yards per play, which was 104th in the nation. As a team they accumulated a total of 247 1st downs last season, ranking them 87th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Louisiana Monroe ran for 2,176 yards, which ranked 64th in college football. They ran 512 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Warhawks were penalized on offense 50 times for 508 yards last year, which had them 114th in the country in penalties. Garrett Smith passed for 1,237 yards last year. He completed 103 throws while attempting 179 passes for a completion percentage of 57.5%. His quarterback rating last season was 124.4. He averaged 6.2 adjusted yards per throw and 6.9 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Louisiana Monroe was 110th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 469 last year. They gave up a total of 5,766 yards on D, which was 100th in D-1. The Warhawks were 112th in yards per play allowed with 6.7. Opponent offenses completed 192 throws on 322 attempts against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks defense last season, ranking them 20th and 14th in the nation. The Louisiana Monroe pass defense also surrendered a total of 2,641 yards in the air, which was 29th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 544 attempts for 3,125 yards last season, putting them in 115th place in the country against the run. The Warhawks had 88 penalties for 751 yards on defense last year. That placed them 83rd in college football.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Tigers ran for 2,080 yards as a team last year, which ranked 71st in college football. They ran 485 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Memphis Tigers were penalized on offense 82 times for 771 yards last season, which had them 43rd in the country in penalties. They were 18th in the nation in points scored with 504. They ran 962 plays last season for 3,957 yards, which ranked them 12th in Division 1 in total offense. Memphis averaged 6.3 yards per play, which was 31st in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 303 1st downs last year, placing them 26th overall as an offensive unit. Riley Ferguson averaged 8.3 yards per pass attempt and 8.8 adjusted yards per throw last season. He completed 280 passes on 443 attempts for a completion percentage of 63.2%. His quarterback rating last year was 152.6. He threw for 3,698 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Memphis Tigers rush defense allowed 530 attempts for 2,664 yards last year, putting them in 91st place in D-1 against the run. Memphis committed 85 penalties for 777 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 91st in college football. They were 69th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 374. They surrendered a total of 5,910 yards on D, which was 106th in the country. The Tigers were ranked 68th in yards per play allowed with 5.8. Opposing offenses completed 304 passes on 495 attempts against the Memphis defense last season, placing them 113th and 112th in Division 1. The Memphis Tigers pass defense also gave up a total of 3,246 yards through the air, which was 88th overall in total pass defense.

Who will win tonight's Warhawks/Tigers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Tigers -24.5

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