This is only the second conference game for both teams, but is this an elimination matchup for Memphis and South Florida?
Memphis, the preseason favorite, lost its first AAC game 56-44 at Navy while USF lost its AAC opener 45-10 at Tulane. Both teams were idle this past week. With the emergence of Army and Navy, a team with two losses could have a difficult time earning a berth in the AAC title game.
Both USF and Memphis have been disappointing, especially on the defensive side of the ball. USF has played arguably the toughest schedule of any AAC team to this point, with the other losses at Alabama (42-16) and at home against Miami (50-15).
With urgency facing both teams, this could have a playoff feel to it.
Memphis-USF How To Watch
Memphis will play USF at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
TV: ESPN+ (The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday but was moved due to the forecasted impact of Hurricane Milton on the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida.)
Memphis & USF Records
Memphis (4-1, 0-1 AAC); South Florida (2-3, 0-1)
Memphis-USF Betting Line
Memphis -7.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 60.5
Memphis-USF Coaches
Memphis: Ryan Silverfield (35-19)
South Florida: Alex Golesh (9-9)
Last meeting: Nov. 4, 2023; Memphis won 59-50 at home.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan completed 23 of 40 passes for 349 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 42 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.
USF quarterback Byrum Brown was spectacular in defeat. He completed 31 of 39 passes for 357 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Brown also rushed for 100 yards on 18 carries.
Why The Memphis-USF Game Is Important
As outlined earlier, the loser will have a difficult time earning a spot in the AAC title game. The other expected contenders – Army, Navy, and Tulane – are already a combined 9-0 in AAC play. Plus, North Texas is considered an outside contender. It wouldn’t be impossible for the loser of this game to earn a title game berth, but it would be difficult.
Memphis-USF Preview
For Memphis
It looked as if beating Florida State would be a signature win for Memphis. The Tigers did win 20-12 at Florida State, but the Seminoles have been among the most disappointing teams in college football with a 1-5 record.
On paper, the stats don’t look too bad. Memphis is averaging 33.2 points per game and allowing 18.4, but the Tigers’ defense was shredded by Navy. The Midshipmen rushed for 361 yards and five touchdowns against Memphis. What really hurt was that Navy also passed for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
The defensive numbers were helped by a shutout win over North Alabama and a 24-7 victory in the Tigers’ last outing over Middle Tennessee.
Henigan, who had some preseason Heisman buzz, has been less than spectacular. He has completed 64.1% of his passes for 1,349 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions while rushing for 60 yards and no touchdowns.
South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson Jr. has rushed for 438 yards and eight touchdowns. Roc Taylor has a team-high 23 receptions for 333 yards and one score.
Chandler Martin, among the top linebackers in the AAC, has 35 tackles and three sacks.
For USF
USF had some moments against both Alabama and Miami. The Bulls trailed Alabama 14-13 entering the fourth quarter before being outscored 28-3 in the final period. The Bulls were down just 22-15 to Miami at halftime before being outscored 28-0 in the second half. There was nothing competitive about the loss to Tulane, where the Green Wave scored the first 31 points of the game.
What’s worse, Brown left early in the third quarter due to injury against Tulane. Bryce Archie finished the game, completing 4 of 10 passes for 41 yards. No doubt, Memphis will prepare to face both quarterbacks.
Brown is the leading rusher for USF with 269 yards and three TDs. Graduate student Kelley Joiner, who has appeared in 39 games for USF, is second on the team in rushing with 248 yards. He is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns.
Veteran Sean Atkins has 27 receptions for 309 yards but no touchdowns. USF has just two receiving touchdowns.
Graduate student linebacker Mac Harris leads the Bulls in tackles (30) and tackles for loss (four). The Bulls average 27.8 points per game but are allowing 32.8, which is 118th nationally. In their three losses, they are allowing 45.6 points per contest.
Memphis-USF Prediction
I like Memphis giving the points, regardless of who will be at quarterback for USF. It appears as if the Miami loss affected the Bulls, which led to their sluggish loss to Tulane.
Memphis, it can be argued, has been just as disappointing as USF, but the Tigers’ schedule hasn’t been as difficult. This is still a talented Memphis team, and the next two games against USF and North Texas will be tests to show if the Tigers are indeed the serious contender they were expected to be.
