Tulane Green Wave vs. Memphis Tigers Prediction & Betting Picks (November 7th, 2025)
These teams have battled each other for a while now, butting heads for 41 total games. Memphis has a sizable lead (25-15-1), but Tulane won the two most recent meetings – both by 10 points.
Memphis won the game before that, but the Green Wave have had their number of late, taking four of the last six meetings.
Friday night’s game will be in Tennessee, where Memphis lost to Tulane last year. They are 6-1 over the last seven contests against Tulane on their home field, however.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: Tulane Green Wave (6-2) vs. Memphis Tigers (8-1)
- Date & Time: Friday, November 7, with kickoff at 9:00 pm ET
- Venue: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Why This Game Matters
This game is huge for the AAC standings. It’s a rivalry game at heart, but there is more on the line than pride for this one, as both teams are off to strong starts and have bowl game aspirations.
Nevermind a bowl game, both Tulane and Memphis can still win the AAC. Navy is presently sitting atop the conference, but a Memphis win would vault them into a tie for first place.
This is do-or-die time for the Green Wave, though. Tulane has had a nice year, but a loss this week would end their chances at claiming the conference crown. A win would keep them one game behind Navy, however, and would give them the tiebreaker over Memphis with just three more games remaining on the regular season schedule.
Betting Odds
Check out the most current Tulane vs. Memphis odds, per ESPN Bet:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Tulane | +3.5 (-110) | +145 | Over 53.5 (-115) |
Memphis | -3.5 (-110) | -175 | Under 53.5 (-105) |
Team Profiles
Tulane Green Wave
The Green Wave have enjoyed a stellar 2025 campaign, as they’ve done a great job against inferior competition. They struggled mightily against a good Ole Miss team, while UTSA hung 48 points on them in a loss last week.
Their two losses put dents in their defense (allowing 25.5 points per game), but they typically have a balanced offense that gives them a shot against anyone they face. Tulane comes into this game ranked 41st in rushing and 62nd in passing – not truly elite, but plenty solid and capable of moving the ball at will.
Tulane takes incredibly good care of star quarterback Jay Retzlaff, who is the driving force behind their dynamic offensive attack. He’s enjoyed a productive season, piling up over 500 yards and nine scores on the ground, as well as over 1,600 passing yards and seven touchdowns through the air.
Offensively, Tulane has enough to give Memphis a sweat. It’s their suspect defense that could derail their bid to shock the world.
Memphis Tigers
There’s no denying that Memphis is the better team on paper. They have the better record, but it goes deeper than that. For one, their lone loss was a forgivable 31-24 shootout against UAB, while their offense has been a well-oiled machine in literally every game.
Seriously, they haven’t dipped below 24 points in a single game in 2025 and enter this tense AAC clash ranked 11th in scoring (36.8 points per game). Dual threat quarterback Brendon Lewis (557 rushing yards, 8 TDs) is a huge part of their dominance, while they spread it out between running backs Greg Desosiers Jr. and Sutton Smith (over 900 rushing yards and 13 TDs between them.
That’s equated to the nation’s 20th best ground game, while Lewis certainly hasn’t disappointed as a passer, completing a staggering 69% of his passes with almost 1,900 yards and 10 scores through the air.
Memphis can simply do it all on offense. They run a ton – and do it as well as anyone – but that opens everything up down the field (37th in yards per pass).
As terrific as the offense has been, Memphis hasn’t let much slip on defense. They come in ranked 23rd in defensive scoring, while their front seven (35th) tends to stifle the run.
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key matchups:
- Tulane’s rush offense vs. Memphis’ run defense: Both of these teams want to pound the rock, but only one of them has a defense truly capable of stopping it. Tulane would have to flip the script to control this game on the ground.
- Tiger’s pass rush vs. Tulane’s o-line: The Green Wave will run most of the time if they have their say, but when they do drop back to pass, they need to protect the quarterback. They typically do (8th best sack rate), but if Memphis can find a way to get consistent pressure, it could alter this game.
- Memphis’ rush offense vs. Tulane’s run defense: This is a total mismatch, but it needs to be said. The Tigers run the ball at a 55% clip, using a stable of effective running backs, as well as a dynamic QB. There isn’t much to suggest they’re going to lose this part of the matchup.
Betting Insights & Trends
The spread actually opened with Tulane as 4.5-point road dogs. It moved to +3.5, but that isn’t enough of a jump to get me off of Memphis at home. The Tigers have lost two in a row in this series, but they are the better team and have largely taken care of business against the Green Wave at home.
Tulane hasn’t been a super reliable team to bet on. They’ve won a lot of their games, but they’re just 3-4-1 against the spread on the year. They’re also 0-1 ATS so far as the underdog.
On the other side, Memphis has been a team we can trust, as they are 8-1 against the spread and 6-1 ATS when favored in 2025.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Check out the top picks for this game:
| Bet | Recommendation | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
Memphis -175 | Tulane won the last two meetings, but Memphis is the better team this year. Their offense is much more dynamic, and nobody has been able to stop them. I don’t see the Green Wave being the first to really do it on the road at night. | 8/10 |
Over 53.5 (-115) | Memphis has a pretty good defense, but both teams can put up some points, and I think the Tigers will do a lot of the heavy-lifting to get us there. They average almost 40 points per game, and Tulane isn’t about to shut them down. It all comes down to whether the Green Wave can push it over the hump – and I think they will. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Memphis ML (-175)
- Secondary Pick: Over 53.5 (-115)
This game has a lot of offensive potential. Both teams can run the ball very well, while Memphis specifically can torch defenses from anywhere on the field. Given the amount of points the Tigers put up regularly, they look like a really good bet to win at home, and they should get us to the finish line in regards to the total. Tulane just needs to show up and not burn us.
Tulane vs. Memphis odds are shifting fast — track every line move and grab the best numbers before kickoff. Compare live spreads now at the top football betting sites.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
There are no guarantees in betting. Here’s why these bets could fail:
- Winning Streak: It shouldn’t be ignored that Tulane has had the Tigers’ number lately, winning two in a row in the series. Sometimes there’s something to be said about simply knowing how to beat a specific and familiar foe.
- A Lot to Play For: Let’s also remember that both of these teams are solid teams with a ton to play for. It’s quite arguable that Tulane really can’t survive a loss in this spot, while Memphis could. Tulane could easily come out as the hungrier team.
- Rivalry Game: The other obvious factor is that these two teams know each other, and this is an AAC battle. No bet is a lock when it comes to conference rivals that know each other.
- Run Battle: One more thing, both teams love to run and are good at it. If Tulane can establish an early lead and lean on their ground game, it’s not crazy to think they keep a dynamic Memphis off the field and grind out a tight road win.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: Memphis 37, Tulane 27
Tulane has taken the last two meetings by 10 points each, so Memphis dishes out some sweet revenge and returns the favor. They are the home team at night, and they have first place dead in their sights.
Both teams have a ton to lose with a loss, but the Tigers are simply the better overall offensive team, and they actually have a competent defense. This feels like a mismatch, and if Memphis came in as a touchdown favorite, I’m not sure anyone would actually bat an eye at it.
That said, I think Tulane will still show up and help the Over hit. Look for a lot of offense, but Memphis to fully control a fairly high-scoring affair.
