[12:00 PM] #20 Houston @ Memphis

Who will WIN this matchup?

#20 Houston Cougars (9-2)

@ Memphis Tigers (7-4)

 

• There is a slim chance the Cougars — who are out of the American Athletic Conference championship picture — could earn an at-large spot in the New Year’s Six bowls if they climb high enough in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Cougars, looking for the program’s ninth 10-win season, have won six straight against Memphis.

• Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. has thrown for 2,841 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions and has a team-high 453 rushing yards and nine TDs. Linell Bonner (76 catches, 841 yards, two TDs) is one of five Cougars with multiple touchdown catches. Freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver is tied for second nationally with 19.5 tackles for loss to lead a defense that is ranked second in rushing defense (93.5 yards) and 10th in total defense (304.1).

• Senior Jason Stewart (201 yards, 2 TDs in four appearances) threw for 138 yards and two scores in place of Ferguson (2,917 yards, 24 TDs, nine INTs). Junior Anthony Miller, who looks to add to his single-season school record of 1,114 receiving yards, has a team-high nine TD catches. The Tigers are tied for second nationally with 26 takeaways, returning three interceptions for touchdowns and scoring 13 times on the other 23 turnovers.

• Memphis leads the AAC in net punting (41.4) and kickoff return average (27.7) and has three kickoff return TDs.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: #20 Houston Cougars

Confidence: 6/10

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