UL Monroe at Memphis

UL Monroe has gone 2-11 and 4-8 the last two years. Last season Monroe had the worst run defense in FBS and was 4-1 SU against teams ranked #93 or worse in the S&P+ College Football Ratings system, but 0-7 against teams that ranked higher. The defense is also much younger this season, loaded with freshmen and sophomores. They lost by a combined 152-44 to New Mexico, Arkansas State, and Appalachian State - all on the road. They open with a non-conference tilt at a Memphis program used to winning, with wins of 10, nine and eight the last three seasons. Seven starters are back on offense with nine on defense. Senior QB Riley Ferguson (32 TDs, 10 INTs, 3,698 yards) is back along with his top target, WR Anthony Miller (1,434 receiving yards in 2016) and a pair of running backs who averaged 5.9 and 6.1 yards per carry. The offensive line will be bolstered by LT Harneet Gill, a former Missouri signee. The Tigers are also 16-6-1 ATS in their last 23 non-conference games. Back Memphis. Also take the UNDER. There should be a lot of scoring in this game, but this total is inflated. The Warhawks averaged just 18 points per game on the road last season so it will take a lot from Memphis to push this one over the total. Back the Tigers and the UNDER here.