Liberty Bowl – Memphis Tigers vs Iowa State Cyclones Free Picks

The Memphis Tigers are coming off a season of no surprises. They won the games they were expected to and lost the ones they weren’t. Of all the 2023 college football records the Tigers were exactly what their record said they were.

The closest they came to a signature win was against Boise State (35-32) but in that win the Tigers were 3-point favorites. The closest Memphis came to a big win was in defeat to SMU (38-34) as a 9.5-point dog. The Tigers were a perfect 9-0 as a favorite and 0-3 as a dog in 2023.

The same can’t said about Iowa State who scored a huge win against TCU (27-14) as a 6.5-point dog and then in the last game of the season at Kansas State (42-45) as a 10-point dog. According to our NCAAF scores and odds sheet, the Cyclones are an 8-point favorite with a total of 57.5.

Liberty Bowl Information

Tigers Hope To Lean On Home Crowd and Offense

It’s been six seasons since the hometown Tigers have played in the Liberty Bowl, but the memory of that game should rekindle some bitter memories after dropping a 21-20 decision to their 2023 opponent Iowa State.

Memphis is 7th in the country in scoring with 39.2 points per game and 13th through the air with 301.7 yards per game. Bettors can rely on those numbers because quarterback Seth Henigan has decided to stay with the Tigers where he will certainly own most of the school’s passing records when he does finally hit the road for the NFL.

Henigan will have his top receiver back in Toc Taylor who finished with 981 yards receiving. This is the fourth straight year that Memphis has failed to turn a profit for bettors. Since 2020, the Tigers are 17-27-1 ATS, 7-11 ATS as an underdog in that time. However, it should be noted that much of that damage has come on the road. At home, the Tigers have covered five of their last seven as a dog.

We continue our 2023 Liberty Bowl preview by turning our attention to the Iowa State Cyclones.

Defense To Lead Cyclones As It Has All Year

As impressive as the Memphis Tigers have been on the offensive side of the ball, the Iowa State Cyclones are ready to parade a defense that allowed just 21.7 points per game (33rd nationally). Their success comes from a run defense that has held opponents to run for 131.6 yards per game (36th nationally).

If they are to win the 2023 Liberty Bowl it will start by winning battle at the line of scrimmage. When freshman quarterback Rocco Becht hits his peak as a signal caller, the Cyclones could be a real force on both sides of the ball. With a cover, the Cyclones will produce the first winning season for bettors since 2020.

Over the last three seasons, Iowa State is 15-19 ATS, but just 2-14 ATS against teams .500 or better. We conclude our preview with one of our strongest college football bowl predictions.

Motivation On The Side Of Tigers

This is the time of year when we talk about what NCAAF teams “wants” to be part of a particular bowl game. For the Tigers, the motivation is certainly on their side with this game being played on their home court. That and the fact that most of their parts on offense are intact.

Now every team thinks they should be in another bowl game than they are at this time of year but it’s unlikely the Cyclones were hyping it up after finding out they were going to the Liberty Bowl. Our official selection on this game is the Memphis Tigers plus the points with a smaller wager on the under.

Even though Memphis has a 6-game over streak, we think the time between college football games should give Iowa State enough time to devise a plan to stop the Tigers’ offense.

Memphis is getting +270 on the moneyline, another wager that has to be thought about because if we think they’ll cover that means we also think they’ll keep it close enough to win. All the best with your bowl wagers this week.

For NCAAF betting news, NCAAF odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Gator Bowl – Clemson vs Kentucky Free Picks
• Sports Betting Strategies
• Arizona Bowl – Wyoming vs Toledo Free Picks
• What Does Tie Mean In Sports Betting?
• Betting on College Football vs NFL