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Memphis vs Wake Forest 2018 Birmingham Bowl Odds & Pick

Memphis vs Wake Forest 2018 Birmingham Bowl Odds & Pick

Written by on December 19, 2018

NCAAF News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
We could see the scoreboard numbers spin on Saturday afternoon when Memphis and Wake Forest tangle in the Jared Birmingham Bowl. Memphis put up 43.6 points per game in the regular season while permitting 31.5, and Wake Forest scored 32.5 points per contest while permitting 33.3. Memphis has tailback Darrell Henderson, who ran for 1,909 yards in the regular season, second best in all of FBS, and he is the top all-purpose yards gainer with 2,328 and scored 25 touchdowns — but he will skip the Birmingham Bowl to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. They will face the Demon Deacons who are looking for a third consecutive bowl victory in as many years, and the loss of Henderson will hurt. Check out our NCAAF betting prediction for this bowl matchup.

Memphis vs Wake Forest 2018 Birmingham Bowl Odds & Pick

When: Saturday, December 22, 2018, 12:00pm ET Where: Legion Field, Birmingham, AL TV: ESPN Radio: Memphis Tigers Sports Network / Wake Forest IMG Sports Network Live Stream: WatchESPN 2018 Birmingham Bowl Odds: Memphis -2.5

Why should you bet on the Tigers?

With Henderson in the game, Memphis would be a smart pick here. With him out, that makes the argument tougher. After all, Memphis couldn’t even beat UCF in the American Athletic Conference title game with the Knights forced to use a backup quarterback, because their defense just couldn’t get any stops. Memphis did average 285.5 rushing yards per game, so they have other talented backs, but none with Henderson’s pedigree. Quarterback Brady White also put up big numbers this year, throwing for 3,125 yards and 25 scores, but it will be interesting to see if Wake Forest keys on the passing game in the absence of Henderson. Memphis has only covered once in their last six neutral-site contests. Also, despite 26 victories over the past three seasons, they have lost both bowl games, falling to Iowa State two years ago and then to Western Kentucky last year. The Tigers have put up at least 41 points in four of their last five games, and if you like Memphis here, you think that they can keep that performance going in the absence of Henderson.

Why should you put your money on the Demon Deacons?

Wake Forest comes in with three consecutive wins away from home, and they just routed Duke in their season finale by a 59-7 margin. Quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Jamie Newman have combined for 24 touchdown passes against just 11 picks this season, and tailback Cade Carney has rumbled for 954 yards and eight scores. The Demon Deacons can put up points in a hurry. Their issues come on the defensive side of the ball, as they give up almost 470 yards of total offense per game — and that’s why they are 6-6 on the season. Wake Forest has put up 50 points or more in four of their last five wins, and without Henderson, Memphis won’t be able to sustain as many long drives — or they shouldn’t be able to, anyway. While Memphis has covered in five straight games when they were favored to win by at least two points, but the last time they played a team with the offensive prowess of Wake Forest (when they played UCF), they couldn’t deliver a win. If you like the Demon Deacons, you see all of these trends continuing.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I had Memphis picked to win this game when Darrell Henderson was in the lineup. Now that he’s sitting out the bowl game to protect himself for the draft, I’m moving the other way — and you should consider doing the same before the line shifts. I predict a final score of Wake Forest 44, Memphis 34 as the Demon Deacons take advantage of a porous Memphis defense while doing just enough to stop the Tigers.
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