Rice Upset Memphis in AAC Showdown, Tigers Struggling to Keep Pace
Rice Owls Deliver Stunning Upset Over Memphis Tigers as AAC Race Tightens
The Memphis Tigers (7-2, 4-5 ATS) are facing unexpected challenges as they prepare for an important matchup against the Rice Owls (3-6, 4-5 ATS) on Friday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. EST. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2012, when Memphis edged out a 14-10 victory while both were in Conference USA. With the Tigers now part of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), both teams are eyeing crucial conference victories to bolster their standings.
Rice Owls Find Their Groove with Defensive Mastery and an Upset Win
After a challenging season, the Rice Owls were given little chance of making an impact in their last outing, facing Navy as 13-point underdogs. However, Rice shocked many by securing a 24-10 win at home, improving their conference record to 2-3. The Owls’ defense played a major role in the upset, continuing to prove why they are one of the toughest units in the AAC.
With 27 sacks this season, tied for the 10th-most in the country, Rice’s defensive front has consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Their pass defense is particularly strong, ranking 11th in the nation in completion percentage allowed (54.1%) and limiting opponents to just 159.2 passing yards per game. The Owls’ defense is second in the AAC in total yards allowed (317.1 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense, surrendering only 23.3 points per contest.
On the ground, Rice has also been effective, holding opponents to just 3.9 yards per carry and 157.9 rushing yards per game. While their defense is formidable, the Owls’ offense has been much more inconsistent. Rice has averaged just 21.9 points per game this season and has scored over 20 points in only three games. The team’s struggles on offense are reflected in their 331.2 yards per game, which is the third-lowest in the AAC.
Quarterback E.J. Warner has shown flashes of promise, with 11 touchdown passes, but his 10 interceptions are a cause for concern. Warner leads the Owls’ passing attack, which is responsible for 218.9 yards per game. However, Rice averages a modest 5.8 yards per pass attempt, ranking as one of the worst marks in college football.
Despite the offensive shortcomings, Rice’s defense and special teams have been enough to keep them competitive. With the Owls looking to carry momentum from their upset win, their ability to stifle Memphis’ high-powered offense will be key to their success on the road.
Memphis Tigers Struggling to Find Consistency After Early-Season Hype
Memphis entered the 2024 season with high expectations, as they were projected to compete for the AAC title. Despite their offensive firepower, the Tigers have faced unexpected hurdles and have dropped two of their last three games, including a disappointing loss to UTSA. With a 3-2 conference record, Memphis now finds itself trailing the two undefeated teams in the AAC and in danger of losing ground in the race for the conference championship.
Offensively, the Tigers have been a juggernaut, averaging 439.9 yards and 34.2 points per game. They’ve been able to score consistently, putting up at least 20 points in every contest this season. Quarterback Seth Henigan has been efficient, completing 65% of his passes for 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Henigan has led Memphis to 282.9 passing yards per game, a strength the Tigers will likely continue to lean on as they look to get back on track.
In the backfield, running back Mario Anderson Jr. has been a standout, rushing for 833 yards and nearly hitting the 1,000-yard mark. Memphis’ ground game ranks among the best in the AAC, averaging 257.0 yards per game on 4.9 yards per carry. The offensive line has done a solid job creating running lanes, but Memphis will need a more balanced attack to avoid becoming too predictable against Rice’s stout defense.
While the Tigers’ offense has been potent, their defense has been more of a mixed bag. Memphis ranks fourth in the AAC in total defense (352.7 yards per game) and scoring defense (23.4 points per game), but their inconsistencies have been glaring. The Tigers have struggled at times against both the run and the pass. They’ve been effective at stopping the run, holding opponents to just 3.9 yards per carry and 115.7 rushing yards per game, but their pass defense has been vulnerable. Opposing quarterbacks have averaged 7.2 yards per pass attempt against Memphis, and while they’ve accumulated 20 sacks, their secondary has often been exploited by more efficient passing attacks.
Against a Rice team that has shown the ability to disrupt passing games, Memphis will need to make adjustments on defense and find a way to stifle the Owls’ offensive rhythm. This Friday’s game will be crucial for Memphis to re-establish its dominance in the AAC and avoid further slipping in the standings.
Conclusion
Rice’s defense will likely cause Memphis more trouble than expected. While Memphis remains the more talented and explosive team, Rice’s ability to disrupt passing plays and limit big gains will keep this one close. The Owls’ offense will need to find more consistency to have a shot at the upset, but Memphis’ defensive vulnerabilities could give Rice a window to pull off another surprise.
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