Sports Handicappers Leaderboard Picks for the Thanksgiving Day Game Between Memphis and Tulane

Memphis takes on Tulane Thanksgiving Day in a game that has significant meaning and will be broadcast on ESPN.  While only Tulane is ranked, coming in at No. 7, Memphis owns the same 9-2 record Straight Up.

What's at Stake

Tulane needs to win to host the AAC title game against Army and also must win to keep alive hope of getting a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff. With victories in its final two games and a little help in the form of losses by teams holding higher spots in the CFP rankings — particularly Boise State — the Green Wave could sneak into the playoff.

Who Are the Current Leaderboard Handicappers in College Football?

Last 14 days: Robert Jones 7-0, Robert Ferguson 8-2, Dan Jones 9-3, Evan Lewis 6-1, Ben Miller 5-0, Bill Blatt 5-0, Diego Garcia 5-1.

Last 30 days: Robert Jones 12-1, Dan Jones 20-9, Robert Ferguson 13-5, Gino De Luca 13-5.

2024 Season: Dan Jones 46-27, Sports Hub Insider 51-29, Robert Vincilletti 12-4.

Follow the Sports Hub leaderboard here

Is the Line on This Game Accurate?

Tulane opened at -12.5 and the line has since jumped to -13.5.

It's right on the money, according to Sagarin.  They give us a number of 12.24.  The 13.5 may be a tad too high but nothing of any significance.

Key Matchup

Memphis’ balanced, prolific and highly experienced offense, which averages 441 yards and 35.3 points per game, against a deep and stifling Tulane defense that has allowed just nine points in its past three games combined.

Players to Watch

Memphis: RB Mario Anderson Jr., a transfer from South Carolina, is third in the AAC with 1,115 yards rushing and his 16 TDs rushing are the second most in the conference.

Tulane: RB Makhi Hughes leads the AAC in rushing with 1,291 yards to go with 15 TDs rushing, third most in the conference. Hughes needs 291 more yards rushing this season to surpass Tyjae Spears (in 2022) for second most yards on the ground in a single season at Tulane.

Fun Facts

• Tulane has won its past 17 AAC regular season games — a streak that dates back to 2022 and represents the longest active conference winning streak in the nation.
• Memphis has scored 20 or more points in 38 consecutive games — the longest active streak in the nation — dating to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021.
• During the past 10 seasons, Memphis has gone 8-11 against ranked opponents.
• While Memphis owns the same record as Tulane (9-2) Straight Up, they are just 5-5-1 Against The Spread.
• The Tigers have only covered the spread in two of their last eight games, with another being a push.
• The Green Wave have covered in seven of their last eight games.