PREMIUM
Rogers *10* Friday Night FIGHT >> 4-1 w/ NCAAF 10*s!
(NCAAF) Memphis vs. UCF,
Point Spread: -3.00 | -120.00 UCF (Home)
Result: Push
Point Spread: -3.00 | -120.00 UCF (Home)
Result: Push
The set-up: AAC rivals the Memphis Tigers (West Division) and UCF Knights (East Division) meet Friday night at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando. Both teams opened their respective 2017 season on Thursday, August 31, with Memphis winning 37-29 at home against UL-Monroe and UCF routing in-state rival FIU at home, 61-17. Memphis is off three straight bowl appearances, putting together seasons of 10-3, 9-4 and 8-5. UCF comes into 2017 off a wild five-year 'ride.' Howard Schnellenberger led the Knights to bowls in 2012, 2013 and 2014, including 2013's Fiesta Bowl shocker over No. 6 Baylor, 52-42. The Knights were 16-point dogs in that game and the win capped a 12-1 season for UCF. The 2014 team went 9-4 (lost its bowl game) but then, in Schnellenberger's final season of 2015, UCF went 0-12. Scott Frost was hired for the 2016 season and took that win-less squad to a 6-6 regular season and a Cure Bowl appearance (lost 31-13 to Arkansas St.).
Memphis: The Tigers ran for 319 yards (8.2 YPC) in their win over the Warhawks but QB Riley Ferguson completed just 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards. He will have to be much better here, in Orlando. The Memphis defense allowed 29 points on 425 yards at home, to a ULM team which averaged just 23.3 PPG last season on 373 yards.
UCF: QB McKenzie Milton threw for 360 yards and four TDs (one INT) in leading the Knights against FIU, then took a seat and saw backup Verdal complete 10-of 12 passes for 79 yards. The Knights ran up 596 yards and allowed a modest 17 points on defense (335 yards).
The pick: UCF lost the first meeting between these two schools (back in 1990) but has since won NINE in a row! Memphis is 0-4 all-time in Orlando, including getting blown out 41-0 in the school's last visit to 'Disneyland' (2011). Throw in the fact that Tigers' difference-making LB Genard Avery and starting NT Jared Gentry could be out with injuries in this one and just what could be attractive about backing Memphis in its 2017 road opener, considering the Tigers are 1-11 in their last 12? The QB matchup of McKenzie Milton (360 YP & 4 TDs in opener) vs Riley Ferguson (completed just 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards in his opener) is a total mismatch! Make UCF a 10* play.
Memphis: The Tigers ran for 319 yards (8.2 YPC) in their win over the Warhawks but QB Riley Ferguson completed just 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards. He will have to be much better here, in Orlando. The Memphis defense allowed 29 points on 425 yards at home, to a ULM team which averaged just 23.3 PPG last season on 373 yards.
UCF: QB McKenzie Milton threw for 360 yards and four TDs (one INT) in leading the Knights against FIU, then took a seat and saw backup Verdal complete 10-of 12 passes for 79 yards. The Knights ran up 596 yards and allowed a modest 17 points on defense (335 yards).
The pick: UCF lost the first meeting between these two schools (back in 1990) but has since won NINE in a row! Memphis is 0-4 all-time in Orlando, including getting blown out 41-0 in the school's last visit to 'Disneyland' (2011). Throw in the fact that Tigers' difference-making LB Genard Avery and starting NT Jared Gentry could be out with injuries in this one and just what could be attractive about backing Memphis in its 2017 road opener, considering the Tigers are 1-11 in their last 12? The QB matchup of McKenzie Milton (360 YP & 4 TDs in opener) vs Riley Ferguson (completed just 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards in his opener) is a total mismatch! Make UCF a 10* play.
