The UCF Knights (2-1 overall, 1-1 AAC) and Memphis Tigers (1-1, 0-1) do battle at the Liberty Bowl in a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday (on ABC). Below, we analyze the UCF-Memphis college football betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
The Knights fell out of the Amway Coaches Poll, but they were the top team among the others receiving votes with 93. They were previously ranked 25th.
UCF at Memphis: Betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET.
- Money line: UCF -176 (bet $176 to win $100) | Memphis +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Against the spread/ATS: UCF -3.5 (-110) | Memphis +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 75 (O: -110 | U: -110)
UCF at Memphis: Three things to know
- The Knights built a 16-2 first-quarter lead last week at home against Tulsa, and they led 26-25 after three quarters. Unfortunately for UCF, it was unable to hold the lead, suffering its first loss of the season in the home opener. It was also the Knights’ first straight-up setback at the Bounce House since Nov. 19, 2016, which, ironically, was also against the Golden Hurricane.
- Memphis played its first game in nearly a calendar month last Saturday, falling to SMU in Dallas by a 30-27 count. The Tigers are 1-1 straight up and 0-2 ATS, and the Under has connected in each of their two contests.
- UCF ranks No. 1 in the country with 582.3 total yards per game on offense, and it checks-in third with 385.0 passing yards per contest. The Knights are also 10th in the nation with 42.0 PPG.
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UCF at Memphis: Odds, betting lines and picks
Prediction
UCF 38, Memphis 35
Money line (ML)
UCF (-176) is a decent play on the money line at this price, especially since it’s laying a risky three and a hook against the spread. The Knights haven’t lost back-to-back games since dropping the final two regular-season contests and their bowl outing to close out the 2016-17 season. Bank on UCF.
Against the spread (ATS)
MEMPHIS +3.5 (-110) is worth a roll of the dice as long as this line sticks at three and a hook. The Tigers have yet to cash against the number so far this season, but they are 4-0 ATS in their past four home games against their rivals from Central Florida. The home team is also 12-1 ATS in the previous 13 head-to-head meetings.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Under connected last week for the Knights, and UNDER 75 (-110) is the play in this one. The Tigers have cashed the Under in each of their two games, totaling 61 points against Arkansas State against an Over/Under of 72, and totaling 57 last week vs. SMU with a projection of 75.5. This one might not be confused for a defensive slugfest, but it will not go Over the number.
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