The Memphis Tigers can get some payback for a loss in the 2017 Liberty Bowl when they face the Iowa State Cyclones in the 2023 Liberty Bowl on Friday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. Six years ago, a Tigers team ranked No. 19 in the country lost to the Cyclones, 21-20. The victory was Iowa State's only win in six games in the state of Tennessee in program history. Memphis (9-3) enters this year's game looking for its fourth 10-win season since 2014. Meanwhile Iowa State (7-5) can earn the program's first eight-win season since 2020.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. The Cyclones are 10.5-point favorites in the latest Iowa State vs. Memphis odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 59. Before making any Memphis vs. Iowa State picks or Liberty Bowl predictions, make sure you check out the analysis from SportsLine and CBS Sports expert Tom Fornelli, given his mastery of picks in games involving the Cyclones.
The CBS national writer has been profitable across multiple sports, but his specialty is college football. What's more, he has demonstrated a particularly sharp eye for Iowa State. In fact, Fornelli is an impressive 17-3 (+1370) on his last 20 college football picks in games involving the Cyclones. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, he has set his sights on Iowa State vs. Memphis and made his picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Memphis vs. Iowa State:
- Iowa State vs. Memphis spread: Cyclones -10.5
- Iowa State vs. Memphis over/under: 59 points
- Iowa State vs. Memphis money line: Cyclones -391, Tigers +300
- ISU: Cyclones rank eighth in the country in red zone offense (0.935)
- MEM: Tigers are No. 7 in the nation in scoring offense (39.7)
- Iowa State vs. Memphis: See picks at SportsLine
- Iowa State vs. Memphis live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Iowa State can cover
The Cyclones have done an excellent job of protecting quarterback Rocco Becht this season. Iowa State has given up just 12 sacks this season. The Cyclones' 1.0 sacks allowed per game average is tied for eighth in the country. Behind the solid pass protection, Becht set freshman records for touchdown passes (20) and passing yards (2,674) and was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
In addition, freshman running back Abu Sama III is coming off a breakout performance. In the regular season finale against Kansas State, Sama ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the first start of his career. He had touchdown runs of 77, 71 and 60 yards in the 42-35 win. See which team to pick here.
Why Memphis can cover
The Tigers have one of the most prolific offenses in the country. Memphis averages 39.7 points per game, which ranks second in the American Athletic Conference and seventh in the nation. The Tigers are coming off one of their best offensive performances of the season in a 45-21 victory over Temple.
One of the reasons for Memphis' success has been quarterback Seth Henigan. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Henigan ranks second in the AAC and ninth in the FBS in total offense (313.8 yards per game). He also is 10th in the country in passing yards per game (293.2). See which team to pick here.
How to make Memphis vs. Iowa State picks
Fornelli has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he's leaning Over on the point total, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.
Who wins Memphis vs. Iowa State, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Iowa State vs. Memphis spread hits, all from the expert on a 17-3 run on picks in games involving Iowa State, and find out.
