No. 25 Memphis (5-1, 2-1 The American) at Houston (4-2, 2-1), Thursday, 8 p.m. Eastern (ESPN). Line: Houston by 2 ½. Series Record: Houston leads 15-10. WHAT’S AT STAKE Memphis is ranked for the first time in two years and
No. 25 Memphis (5-1, 2-1 The American) at Houston (4-2, 2-1), Thursday, 8 p.m. Eastern (ESPN).
Line: Houston by 2 ½.
Series Record: Houston leads 15-10.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Memphis is ranked for the first time in two years and would take control of the American West Division with a win after defeating Navy last week. Houston is looking to rebound after its 45-17 loss at Tulsa and a win would give it control of the division.
KEY MATCHUP
Memphis QB Riley Ferguson vs. Houston’s secondary. Ferguson averages 302.3 yards passing per game and has thrown 19 touchdown passes this season, which ranks third in the nation. Houston’s secondary has nine interceptions, led by three apiece by Garrett Davis and Terrell Williams, to rank 12th. Houston’s defense ranks 16th overall in pass efficiency defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Memphis: RB Darrell Henderson. He has rushed for 542 yards and three touchdowns and is averaging 8.1 yards a carry, which has helped diversify the Tigers offense.
Houston: WR Steven Dunbar. He has led Houston in receiving yards in four of the six games this season, including 10 catches for 107 yards against Tulsa last week. The senior has at least six catches in each game this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Five of the last seven games in the series have been decided by 10 points or fewer. . Memphis is 11-0 in non-Saturday games since 2014 and 2-0 in those games this season. . Houston has won six straight against Top 25 opponents. . Memphis has won three straight against Top 25 opponents after beating Navy last week. . Houston is eighth nationally in kickoff yardage with 26.9 yards per return, while Memphis is fifth with 28.6. … Houston’s defense is ninth nationally allowing a touchdown in 40.9 percent of opponents’ trips to the red zone. … Memphis’ senior class is one win away from tying the 1963 team with 33 wins over a four-year stretch. … Memphis is third in the nation with 17 takeaways this season. … Houston LB Matthew Adams and D’Juan Hines are tied for second in the American by averaging 9.5 tackles a game.
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