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The Liberty Bowl sees the Iowa State Cyclones and the Memphis Tigers hit the field on Friday, December 29, 2023. The matchup kicks off at 3:30 PM ET and airs on ESPN.
The Cyclones are significant favorites (-8.5) in their matchup versus the Tigers, with the over/under at 57.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Cyclones are -335 and the Tigers are +261.)
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Game Info for Iowa State vs. Memphis
- Game Day: Friday, December 29, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Memphis, Florida
- Stadium: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State | -8.5 | -110 | -110 | 57.5 | -111 | -109 | -335 | +261 |
Iowa State Pick Insights
- Iowa State has a 6-5-0 record against the spread this season.
- Iowa State has gone over in five of its 11 games with a set total (45.5%).
Iowa State Stats & Insights
- Iowa State ranks 88th in total offense (358.2 yards per game) and 41st in total defense (349.3 yards allowed per game) this season.
- Offensively, Iowa State ranks 73rd in the FBS with 26.3 points per game. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 34th in points allowed (349.3 points allowed per contest).
- Iowa State is putting up 228.3 passing yards per game offensively this season (62nd in the FBS), and is giving up 217.7 passing yards per game (55th) on the defensive side of the ball.
- Iowa State is compiling 129.9 rushing yards per game on offense, which ranks them 98th in the FBS. The team’s defensive unit ranks 38th, allowing 131.6 rushing yards per game.
- On offense, Iowa State ranks 74th in the FBS with a 37.9% third-down percentage. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 31st in third-down conversion rate allowed (131.6).
- Iowa State has forced 19 total turnovers (36th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 11 times (12th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +8, the 17th-best in college football.
Iowa State’s Best Players
- Rocco Becht has recorded 2,674 yards (222.8 ypg) on 209-of-329 passing with 20 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions this season.
- Abu Sama III has racked up 610 yards on 72 carries while finding paydirt six times as a runner.
- This season, Eli Sanders has carried the ball 102 times for 477 yards (39.8 per game) and four touchdowns.
- Jayden Higgins has hauled in 44 receptions for 769 yards (64.1 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone five times as a receiver.
- Jaylin Noel has put together a 741-yard season so far with six touchdowns, hauling in 60 passes on 82 targets.
- Benjamin Brahmer’s 26 catches have yielded 320 yards and two touchdowns.
- J.R. Singleton has 3.5 sacks to pace the team, and also has three TFL and 19 tackles.
- Iowa State’s top-tackler, Beau Freyler, has 83 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and three interceptions this year.
- Jeremiah Cooper has picked off a team-leading five passes. He also has 36 tackles, one TFL, and five passes defended to his name.
Memphis Betting Insights
- Memphis is 4-6-1 against the spread this year.
- Memphis is 1-0 against the spread so far when playing as at least 8.5-point underdogs.
- The teams have hit the over in nine of Memphis’ 11 games with a set total.
Memphis Pick Insights
- While Memphis’ defense has been sputtering, ranking 20th-worst by conceding 422.7 total yards per game, its offense ranks 19th-best with 452.3 total yards per contest.
- Memphis’ offense has been dominant, putting up 39.7 points per contest (seventh-best) this season. Defensively, it ranks 93rd by surrendering 29 points per game.
- While Memphis’ pass defense has had trouble stopping opposing offenses, ranking 20th-worst by giving up 253.2 passing yards per game, its offense ranks 13th-best with 301.4 passing yards per contest.
- In terms of rushing, Memphis ranks 76th in the FBS on offense (150.8 rushing yards per game) and 101st on the other side of the ball (169.5 rushing yards allowed per contest).
- Memphis has been a top-25 unit on third down on both sides of the ball this season, as it ranks 23rd-best in third-down conversion percentage (44.9%) and 19th-best in third-down rate allowed (31.8%).
- With 20 forced turnovers (29th in the FBS) and 15 turnovers committed (45th in the FBS) this season, Memphis ranks 30th in the FBS with a turnover margin of +5.
Memphis’ Best Players
- Seth Henigan has 3,516 passing yards, or 293 per game, so far this season. He has completed 66.4% of his passes and has collected 28 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He’s also contributed on the ground with 20.6 rushing yards per game while scoring as a runner four times.
- Blake Watson’s team-high 1,045 rushing yards have come on 177 carries, with 14 touchdowns. He also leads the team with 463 receiving yards (38.6 per game) on 50 catches with three touchdowns.
- Sutton Smith has been given 59 carries and totaled 283 yards with two touchdowns.
- Roc Taylor paces his team with 981 receiving yards on 61 catches with four touchdowns.
- DeMeer Blankumsee has put up an 825-yard season so far with six touchdowns. He’s caught 51 passes on 83 targets.
- Greg Rubin leads the team with 2.5 sacks, and also has two TFL and 42 tackles.
- Chandler Martin, Memphis’ tackle leader, has 81 tackles, 10 TFL, two sacks, and two interceptions this year.
- Cameron Smith has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with 47 tackles and three passes defended.
