By: @oossports
The Memphis Tigers have emerged as one of the most dangerous teams in the American Conference, and Friday’s matchup with the Tulane Green Wave presents another opportunity to strengthen their position.
Memphis enters Week 7 at 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, with its only defeat coming against Boise State. The Tigers have won four consecutive games under head coach Charles Huff, combining an explosive offense with a defense that has shown considerable improvement.
Tulane faces a different challenge. The Green Wave enter at 2-3 and 0-1 in conference play, searching for consistency under first-year head coach Will Hall.
Friday’s matchup kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, with ESPN providing national coverage.
Prediction: Memphis 31, Tulane 20
Best bet: Memphis -6.5, if available
Marcus Stokes and Jaylin Carter give Memphis a major advantage
Memphis has established an offensive identity that makes the Tigers especially difficult to contain.
Quarterback Marcus Stokes leads an attack averaging 516.7 total yards per game, while running back Jaylin Carter has emerged as one of the conference’s most productive offensive weapons.
Carter has rushed for 645 yards and eight touchdowns through six games. His recent performances include 183 rushing yards and four scores against Arkansas State, followed by 132 yards and two touchdowns against UAB.
That production creates a significant problem for Tulane.
The Green Wave have struggled to defend the run, allowing approximately five yards per carry. Their inability to consistently win at the line of scrimmage could become particularly costly against a Memphis offense averaging 247 rushing yards per game.
Stokes makes the matchup even more difficult.
The Memphis quarterback has thrown for 1,535 yards this season and gives the Tigers the ability to punish defenses that devote too much attention to Carter. Tulane cannot simply crowd the line of scrimmage without risking explosive passing plays.
Memphis should have opportunities to move the ball through both phases, giving Huff considerable flexibility with his playcalling.
Tulane quarterback uncertainty creates another concern
Tulane’s biggest problem might be keeping pace offensively.
The Green Wave have struggled to sustain drives, and Hall has yet to settle definitively on Kadin Semonza or freshman Trace Johnson as his starting quarterback for Friday.
A change under center could provide a spark, but it would not automatically resolve the offense’s larger inconsistencies.
Tulane has shown the ability to create explosive plays through its rushing attack. Maurice Turner, Jaylin Lucas and Johnnie Daniels offer different ways to challenge opposing defenses.
However, sustaining those drives against Memphis presents another challenge.
The Tigers have allowed just 21 combined points across their last two games against Charlotte and UAB. Their improved defensive performance has helped Memphis complement its high-powered offense rather than relying entirely on shootouts.
Tulane’s nine-game home winning streak deserves respect, and the Green Wave have won three of the past four meetings with Memphis.
Those trends make this a potentially difficult road environment for the Tigers, but the current matchup favors their offensive balance and recent form.
Memphis vs. Tulane final prediction and best bet
Memphis has the more dependable offense, the stronger rushing attack and fewer questions at quarterback.
Carter should find opportunities against Tulane’s vulnerable front seven, while Stokes gives Memphis another way to create explosive plays when defenders commit to stopping the run.
The Green Wave’s home-field advantage and recent success in this rivalry cannot be dismissed. However, Tulane must find a way to consistently finish drives and prevent the Tigers from controlling possession.
That is a difficult combination to execute against a Memphis offense producing more than 500 yards per game.
Expect Tulane to remain competitive early before Memphis begins creating separation through its running game.
Final score prediction: Memphis 31, Tulane 20
Best bet: Memphis -6.5. The Tigers have enough offensive advantages to win by more than one possession. At -7, the recommendation becomes more cautious because a seven-point victory would only produce a push.