Memphis Tigers vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction, 12/29/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Memphis Tigers vs Iowa State Cyclones

Date: Friday, December 29, 2023

Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, TN

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Cyclones (-7)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

The Iowa State Cyclones (7-5) will try to beat the Memphis Tigers (9-3) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Friday, December 29, 2023 in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Iowa State opens as 7-point favorites. The betting total is set at 56.5.

The Memphis Tigers come into this matchup with a record of 9-3 for this season. In their last game, the Tigers faced off with the Temple Owls and walked away with a win by a score of 45-21. Blake Watson was the best rusher for the Tigers with 10 carries for 41 yards (4.1 yards per carry). Seth Henigan connected on 35/51 with 402 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rate of 147.8 and ended the game without throwing a pick. When it came to stopping the run, the Tigers gave up 135 yds on 23 attempts, which averages out to 5.9 yards per rush allowed. Memphis allowed 27 completions on 48 attempts for a total of 330 yds, and a completion percentage of 56.3%. At the end of the game, they tallied 61 plays which totaled 440 yds. The Memphis Tigers ran the rock 33 times and recorded 190 yds, which earned them an average of 5.8 yds per carry.

The Tigers have earned 5,430 total yards this season. In terms of notching touchdowns, Memphis has compiled 29 touchdowns via the pass and 30 touchdowns on the ground. They have surrendered the football 16 times. Memphis has compiled 274 first downs as a team, and they have been called for 53 penalties for 536 yards. As a team they hold an average of 150.8 yards via the ground game ranking them 75th in Division 1. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the Memphis Tigers have an average of 39.7 PPG.

When it comes to passing yards, the Tigers have allowed 3,038 yards which puts them in 108th in the nation. They are giving up 253.2 yards per game through the air and conceding a completion percentage of 60.7%. Over the course of this season, they have yielded 421.3 yards/game which ranks them 113th in college football. They have given up 22 touchdowns via the pass as well as 22 touchdowns running the ball. They are giving up 4.7 yards per rushing attempt and 168.2 rushing yards per contest so far this season. In total, they have conceded 2,018 yards on the ground through 12 games. The Tigers are ranked 94th in the nation concerning the opposition scoring, conceding 29.0 points per game.

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The Cyclones come into this matchup with a record of 7-5 for this season. In their last game, the Cyclones went home victorious with a score of 42-35 against the Kansas State Wildcats. Rocco Becht (3 touchdowns) walked away from the game with 230 yds on 8/12 through the air while his quarterback rate was 310.2. He didn't throw any interceptions and his Y/A was 19.2. Abu Sama carried the ball 16 times for 276 yards, ending the contest with 17.3 yds per attempt for Iowa State. Iowa State rushed for 11.2 yds per carry, totaling 258 yards on 23 carries. The Cyclones finished with a total of 488 yards while running 35 plays (13.9 yds per play). The Cyclones pass defense gave up a completion rate of 50.0%, relinquishing 288 yds on 24 for 48 through the air. Iowa State gave up 54 attempts on the ground for 209 yds (3.9 yds per rush).

When discussing their ability to score points, the Cyclones sit 74th in the nation holding an average of 26.3 points per game. The Iowa State Cyclones maintain an average of 358.2 yards/game, ranking them 88th in college football. The Iowa State offense has racked up 550 penalty yds on 60 infractions, which ranks them 105th in college football in terms of giving up free yards. They have tossed 8 picks while surrendering 4 fumbles and they have earned 193 first downs. For the season thus far, the Cyclones currently have a total of 2,740 passing yards together with holding an average of 228.3 passing yards per outing, ranking them 62nd in D-1. They maintain an average of 129.9 yards per game via the rush and have rushed for 1,559 yards overall.

Iowa State has conceded a total of 1,579 rushing yards (131.6 yards per game) and 11 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the season. They have given up 17 touchdowns through the air as well as 217.7 yards/game, which puts them in 55th in Division 1. Their defense has compiled 4 fumbles and 16 picks this season. The Cyclones defense has been on the field for 838 plays, ranking them 87th in the country. The Cyclones are allowing 21.7 points per game, ranking them 34th in the country. Over the course of the season, they have relinquished 260 pts.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Cyclones -7

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