Tulane vs Memphis Prediction: College Football Playoff Elimination Game

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 7, 2025 3:51 AM ET

Thanks to USF’s blowout win over UTSA on Thursday night, this has effectively turned into an elimination game for the American Conference Championship, which means the loser’s CFP dream is done.

Memphis beat USF, but the shocking loss to UAB put the pressure on to win out, or else - mainly because USF probably isn’t losing again.

It gets East Carolina and Navy to close, so it’s simple. Win the last three games, play for the American title.

Tulane faceplanted at UTSA, but after this, it gets Florida Atlantic, Temple, and Charlotte - it’s probably not going to lose again. So win, and if it can avoid a misfire on the road against the Owls, it should get to the conference title game.

Tulane vs Memphis Preview

Sep 20, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) looks on during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. © Petre Thomas-Imagn Image

How To Watch Tulane vs Memphis

Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis TN
@PeteFiutak

Why Tulane Will Win

The Green Wave have to get the offense going again behind a line that’s been great in pass protection and solid for the rushing attack.

The defense was the problem in blowout losses to Ole Miss and UTSA, but as long as the offense is able to keep the chains moving - not always a given - then the offense tends to find a way to get the job done.

Tulane has to commit to the ground attack with close to 40 carries. It’s been great when it runs well, struggles when it doesn’t, and it has to push a Memphis defense that had problems - lost to UAB, beat USF and Arkansas by a total of five points - when it couldn’t hold up against the run. However …

Why Memphis Will Win

The Tulane defense isn’t very good.

It has a harder time with good passing games, but the run defense isn’t a rock. The Green Wave lost in two of the three games when it allowed 300 yards or more, and while Memphis only got there against USF, it’s an efficient attack that can own the tempo and the clock.

UTSA’s Owen McCown connected on 31-of-33 passes against Tulane, and Memphis won in blowout fashion the four times when it pushed past 70%.

Tulane vs Memphis Prediction, Betting Lines

This should be fun. There’s everything on the line for both of them, and they’ll play like it.

Both offenses will be terrific. Memphis will be explosive, but Tulane won’t go away. The Green Wave will push back in the second half after getting down early, but at home, Memphis will pull this out in the final minutes with a thrilling score and one last defensive stop.

Memphis 38, Tulane 34
Line: Memphis -3.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 4.5

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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