Memphis vs Tulane Picks and Prediction for Friday October 16 2026
In Friday night college football action, the Memphis Tigers will visit Yulman Stadium to take on the Tulane Green Wave. Kickoff is scheduled for October 16, 2026 at 7:30 pm EST. The game can be seen on ESPN and streamed on their app. Oddsmakers have made the Tigers a 6.5 point favorite and the total is sitting at 52.5. Be sure to check out our free college football picks for more NCAAF predictions throughout the season.
Memphis Flying High on Offense
The Memphis Tigers started the season with a six-point victory at UNLV and are still in the conversation for a College Football Playoff berth. The Tigers have won their first two American Conference games and scored a total of 97 points. On Saturday, Memphis outscored UAB by 28 points in the second half to run away with a 38-13 home victory.
Sophomore RB Jaylin Carter carried 19 times for a game-high 132 yards and two scores. Marcus Strokes completed just 11 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. LB Zach Ruffin recorded seven tackles and a sack for the Tigers, who forced three turnovers on the night.
Memphis ranks second to North Texas in the American Conference total offense hierarchy and averages an impressive 38.5 points per game. The Tigers have scored on 89 percent of their red zone opportunities and rank eighth nationally in turnover margin. On defense, Memphis has allowed 20.8 points per contest.
Tulane Takes a Major Step Back
The Tulane Green Wave are the defending American Conference champions and lost to Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff a season ago. The Green Wave (2-3) lost head coach Jon Sumrall to Florida and made an underwhelming hire with Will Hall, who served as Southern Miss head coach from 2021-2024. Last week, Tulane was unable to protect a seven-point lead in the final seven plus minutes during a 20-17 road loss against Army.
Tulane took a 17-10 fourth quarter lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kadin Semonza to Jaylin Lucas. Senior RB Johnnie Daniels rushed for a team-high 67 yards on eight carries. Destyn Hill added 54 receiving yards for the Green Wave, who allowed the Black Knights to rush for 329 yards.
Tulane ranks near the bottom of the American Conference in total offense and has seen their scoring dip almost ten points to 18.4. The Green Wave have scored on 90 percent of their red zone opportunities. Tulane is allowing more than 400 yards per contest and are giving up 22.6 points per contest.
Memphis vs Tulane Picks and Prediction
Pick: Memphis -6.5
Memphis opened as a 6.5 point favorite, but was quickly bet up to a touchdown. It would not be surprising to see this move past the key number of seven before kick off. The Tigers have been dynamic on offense and the Green Wave have been pretty pedestrian. Take Memphis to win by ten plus points and cover on the road.
Pick: Under 53.5
Tulane was held to three points in a season-opening loss at Duke and have not scored more than 20 points in any of their three losses. Memphis gave up 38 points in their only blemish at Boise State, but is allowing an average of 17 points in their five victories. It is hard to envision the Green Wave scoring more than 17 in this spot. Take the under.