Tulane vs Memphis prediction, picks: College Football odds

The Tulane Green Wave continue American Athletic Conference play in Week 7 with their first road test in conference play. The Liberty Bowl will play host to the Friday night contest between Tulane and Memphis. The Green Wave and Tigers will square off with first place atop the AAC at stake midway through the season.

The conference clash is set to kick off at 6 p.m. CT from Memphis, Tennessee. ESPN will carry the national broadcast with Anish Shroff, Andre Ware and Paul Carcaterra on the call.

Caesars Sportsbook, the official odds partner of Bet.NOLA.com, has the visitors laying 4.5 points with the over/under set at 54.5 total points.

Let's take a closer look at the odds, highlight some picks and a make prediction for this highly anticipated contest:

Tulane Green Wave at Memphis Tigers

Time/TV: Friday at 6 p.m. (ESPN)

Spread: Tulane -4.5

Over/Under: 54.5

Moneyline: Tulane -195, Memphis +162

TOP PICK

Tulane -4.5 at Memphis (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook)

As Jim Derry pointed out in his betting column for this game earlier in the week, Tulane hasn't won in Memphis since 1998. However, that was also the last time the Green Wave went into Memphis with a football team as good as this one.

Memphis' defense is one of the best in the American Athletic and the Tigers emphasize defending the pass well. However, Michael Pratt is a difference-maker. He's the best quarterback Memphis has faced this season. The next best was Missouri's Brady Cook, who went 18-for-25 with 341 yards and two touchdowns.

The experience at the quarterback position — as well as the advantage in the trenches — gives Tulane the edge in my eyes. This will be a close contest, as almost all of the Tigers' games have been this season, but I think the Green Wave wins by a touchdown to cover.

The visitors realize that they likely have to win this one to make another New Year's Six bowl game. For this reason, I'm going to fade the trends with this best pick. Tulane gets its first win in Memphis since the year I was born.

Prediction: Tulane 27, Memphis 20 (Under 54.5)

OTHER PICKS

Tulane first half moneyline (-155 at Caesars Sportsbook)

Tulane often gets off to a fast start. The Green Wave have had the lead at halftime in four of their five games this season — the exception being two weeks ago against UAB. Furthermore, Tulane first half moneyline has cashed in nine of the team's last 11 games overall.

If that wasn't enough to convince you, Memphis has led at halftime just twice this season. The Tigers were beating Arkansas State and Bethune-Cookman after 30 minutes, both of which were teams that they were expected to blow out.

First half UNDER 27.5 total points (-120 at Caesars Sportsbook)

It often takes Memphis a little while to get going, as you can tell by the last stat presented in the previous pick. The first half game total under has hit in seven of the Tigers' last 11 games.

Tulane has also hit the first quarter game total under in four of their previous five games on the road. Memphis is a place the Green Wave have traditionally struggled, so don't be surprised if it takes them a bit of time to get going on Friday evening.