Win away from AAC's West title, No. 18 Memphis hosts SMU

Posted November 16, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

SMU (6-4, 3-3 American), at No. 18 Memphis (8-1, 5-1, CFP No. 21), Saturday, noon ET (ESPNews)

Line: Memphis by 13.

Series record: Memphis leads 6-3.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

One win gives Memphis the American Athletic Conference's Western Division title and a spot in the league's title game Dec. 2. The Tigers also have won five straight and continuing that streak keeps them positioned to play for a berth in a New Year's Day bowl.

KEY MATCHUP

Memphis QB Riley Ferguson vs. SMU pass defense: Ferguson is a game away from matching Paxton Lynch's school record of 12 300-yard passing performances, and the quarterback is why Memphis ranks ninth nationally averaging 329.4 yards passing per game. SMU ranks 109th against the pass, giving up 263.6 yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SMU: DE Justin Lawler. He has 7 ˆ½ sacks, tied for 16th nationally, on a defense with 27 sacks this season. He also leads the nation with three blocked kicks this season.

Memphis: WR Anthony Miller. He has school records with 3,033 career yards receiving and 30 TD catches. He ranks second all-time with 209 receptions.

FACTS & FIGURES

Memphis is 8-1 or better for seventh time in school history and only second time in last 50 years. ... Memphis has won eight or more games just 16 times out of 102 seasons. ... Memphis is 5-0 at home this season, the fourth straight year the Tigers have won five home games. It's the first time Memphis has won five or more home games between 1959 and 1963. ... Memphis coach Mike Norvell is program's winningest coach in first two seasons with 16 wins. ... Memphis' Tony Pollard has returned three kickoffs for TDs, tied for best in the nation, and leads nation averaging 41.4 yards on kickoff returns. ... SMU's last four games have been decided by seven points or less. The Mustangs have lost two straight. ... SMU ranks ninth averaging 39.6 points per game. ... SMU WR Courtland Sutton ranks second nationally with 11 TD receptions. ... SMU WR Terry Quinn leads nation averaging 9.6 catches per game. He ranks seventh with 1,008 yards receiving and eighth with 100.8 yards per game.

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