A Friday showdown in the American Conference features the Tulane Green Wave visiting the Memphis Tigers. Tulane (6-2, 3-1 American) saw their three-game winning streak snapped by UTSA, where they lost 48-26 on October 30. Memphis (8-1, 4-1 American), currently ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll, secured a 38-14 win against Rice. Both teams are part of a group of American squads with just one conference loss heading into Week 11. Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis is questionable for the game following an injury sustained last week against Rice.

Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Last season, Memphis won against Tulane 34-24. The Tigers are favored by 3.5 points according to the latest odds, with a total points over/under of 54.5.

Before making any predictions for the Tulane vs. Memphis game, explore the insights from the SportsLine Projection Model.

Why Tulane can cover

Tulane has performed well, covering in four of their last five encounters with Memphis. The addition of former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who has demonstrated his ability as a dual-threat player, enhances their offense. Over the last three games, he has accumulated over 1,500 passing yards and 500 rushing yards.

Moreover, Tulane’s run defense is improving, restricting their last four opponents to less than 3.9 yards per carry, aided by defensive linemen Santana Hopper and Harvey Dyson III, who have made significant contributions.

Why Memphis can cover

Memphis leads college football with the most spread victories this season, boasting an 8-1 record against the spread. The Tigers have also excelled at home, with a 4-0 ATS record and 10-1-1 against the line since last season. Facing Tulane, a team that has struggled against ranked opponents historically, could work to their advantage.

Memphis has scored 30 rushing touchdowns this season, leading the FBS, with Brendon Lewis averaging significant completions and rushing yards in his games. Their turnover margin is also impressive, maintaining a streak of 13 games without losing the turnover battle.

How to make Memphis vs. Tulane picks

The SportsLine model has simulated the matchup 10,000 times, yielding a projection of 62 combined points and identifying which side of the spread has a greater chance of success.