Middle Tennessee State at Memphis

The schedule has been tough for Middle Tennessee State, with games against Duke and No. 6 Ole Miss. QB Nicholas Vattiato has more touchdowns (5) than interceptions, and last season had 23 TDs and 13 picks. He has 1,002 yards passing already, threw for 456 yards against Western Kentucky, and has a fine target in Auburn transfer Omari Kelly (297 yards). Memphis has high hopes for the season but stumbled in its conference opener last week, losing 56-44 to Navy as a 9-point favorite. Their focus will be on next week's game against South Florida, not wanting to start 0-2 in the conference. The loss to Navy was exhausting, too, coming close to erasing a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit. The defense allowed 566 yards (361 rushing). Play Middle Tennessee State.