The Memphis Tigers had hopes of becoming a College Football Playoff contender through the Group of 6 path, but a loss to Tulane in Week 7 likely ended those dreams. The Tigers are now simply trying to avoid a collapse like they had a season ago when they host the East Carolina Pirates on Thursday, Oct. 22, in AAC action. The Pirates are 3-3 on the season and come into Thursday's game after losing 30-17 to UAB in overtime, with the last score being a pick-6 to seal the game for the Blazers.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Memphis at DraftKings and get $200 in bonuses and three months of NBA League Pass when you spend $5+: We'll highlight our best bet for East Carolina vs. Memphis using odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and insights from the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every college football game 10,000 times.
It entered Week 8 on a 59-49 run on all top-rated college football picks at betting sites, returning nearly $600 for $100 players. Anybody following its picks on college football betting sites could have seen strong returns. The Pirates have struggled in large part due to instability at the quarterback position, as Emory Williams and Mitch Griffis have not created any sort of separation.
East Carolina continues to roll with both quarterbacks, but it hasn't been productive. TJ Engleman Jr. is a force on the ground, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. That's a good sign against a Memphis team that has allowed 172.9 yards per game on the ground and surrendered 150 to Tulane.
East Carolina's defense is quite stout against the pass, yielding just 187.5 yards through the air. Unfortunately for the Pirates, the Tigers mostly run the football. Memphis has a strong 1-2 punch with Jaylin Carter and Manny Covey, while quarterback Marcus Stokes has also contributed with his legs.
Stokes did throw for more than 300 yards against Tulane, but he also tossed three interceptions. He had thrown zero in his three games prior to the contest against the Green Wave. If he can play turnover-free football, the Tigers can run all over an East Carolina defense that gives up 138.8 yards per game in that phase.
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