Throughout the next month, college football fans are lucky enough to see games on their TVs five days out of the week. This Thursday, there are two games that will have major implications for conference standings and the chances of some teams making a bowl game. This article will look at the Week 11 CFB predictions and odds for the Thursday slate of college football and what may happen as a result of these matchups.
Thursday Week 11 CFB Predictions & Odds
Tulsa-Memphis Prediction: Keeping Postseason Hopes Alive
It’s a huge week here for both teams as Tulsa (3-6, 1-4 AAC) goes on the road to battle Memphis (4-5, 2-4 AAC). Tulsa’s bowl hopes hang by a thread, and a loss would more than likely eliminate them entirely. While this Memphis team has lost four straight, three out of the four losses have been by one score or less, and they just played the hardest stretch of their conference slate.
Tulsa has an uphill battle to climb the rest of the way this season. It has lost three of the last four games and is once again underdogs on Thursday night. If Tulsa wants a chance in this game, it is going to need to rely heavily on its pass defense. Tulsa ranks second in the conference in opponent yards passing per game, and although Memphis likes to air it out, the Tigers have thrown seven interceptions and coughed up five fumbles. It has been a tough stretch of games for Tulsa against some strong competition, but there is still time to make something of their season.
With Memphis a 6.5-point home favorite on Thursday, back the Tigers of cover in this game. This is a Memphis team that has been battle tested this season, and while the wins haven’t necessarily been consistent as of late, it has been able to still get a lot of production out of its offense. The game total is set at 61.5 points, and the over should be the bet.
Both teams play at a fast pace, as both Tulsa and Memphis rank in the top 40 in plays per game. This is also a Memphis team that has recently been able to light up the scoreboard. The Tigers game total has gone over in five of their last six games, and they’ve been scoring over 33 points per game on the season.
Tulsa-Memphis Prediction: Memphis -6.5 (-115), OVER 61.5 Points (-110)
Georgia Southern-Louisiana Prediction: Sun Belt Shakeup?
In recent years, the Sun Belt has been a conference that has proven to be one of the better out of the Group of 5, and this year it has shown that it has good depth. On Thursday, Georgia Southern (5-4, 2-3 Sun Belt-East) will travel for a matchup with Louisiana (4-5, 2-4 Sun Belt-West). This is another weekday matchup where both teams can’t afford a loss as they continue to fight for a bowl bid.
While its record has not entirely shown it, Georgia Southern currently holds the top spot in the conference in yards per game. After winning two straight, Georgia Southern dropped its last game 38-31 to South Alabama. Although it been successful at putting up points and some impressive yards, it needs to cut down on turnovers. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease has thrown 13 interceptions on the year, and this mark needs to improve on the road this week. While Louisiana still has some work to do, it ranks 25th in the FBS in the turnover margin, which could create issues for a Georgia Southern offense that struggles to take care of the ball.
Georgia Southern is coming in with a better record on Thursday but will face a very tough test on the road. Louisiana, who is 5-4 against the spread this season, is a 3-point favorite and should cover on Thursday. This is a team that ranks fourth in the conference in points per game and will take advantage of mistakes.
While Georgia Southern plays with fast tempo, Louisiana does not and will look to play at a more methodical tempo if it gets a lead early. Look towards the under in this contest, with the point total is set at 61.5.
Georgia Southern-Louisiana Prediction: Louisiana -3 (-110), UNDER 61.5 points (-110)
