Bowling Green @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2015 ) Memphis 44, Bowling Green 41

Memphis looks to stay unbeaten on the season when it hosts Bowling Green for a non-conference contest Saturday night in a rematch of a high-scoring affair last year. The Tigers edged Bowling Green 44-41 in a classic shootout last September, though the Falcons might not have the weapons to keep up again this year while averaging just 19.3 points.

Memphis comes off a 43-7 blowout of Kansas last week as the Tigers’ defense came up with six turnovers in the victory. Quarterback Riley Ferguson continues to impress in his first year under center, throwing for 484 yards and five TDs in the two Memphis wins. The Falcons are hoping to rebound from a 20-point loss at home to Middle Tennessee State despite Josh Cleveland and Fred Coppet both going over the 100-yard rushing mark in the contest. While Bowling Green can match Memphis’ yardage numbers heading into this contest, the Falcons’ minus-7 in turnover margin has prevented them from putting up the same scoring results.

TV: 8 p.m. ET. ESPNNews. LINE: Memphis -16.5

ABOUT BOWLING GREEN (1-2): With the team struggling offensively, coach Mike Jinks is keeping his options open at quarterback. He named James Knapke as the starter against Memphis, but Jinks also indicated that redshirt freshman James Morgan could see some action. Knapke has thrown for 554 yards this year but has connected on just 50.5 percent of his passes and had six of his attempts intercepted while Morgan was 10-of-12 for 77 yards and two interceptions in limited duty this year.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (2-0): One thing that had Memphis coach Mike Norvell alarmed is the five sacks allowed by the Tigers of Ferguson against Kansas. Norvell points out that it's not always because of breakdowns on the offensive line, that sometimes Ferguson holds the ball too long trying to make a play. But he also tried to make sure to stress -- to the media and his players -- that there's no one person to blame for the stat, but rather the offense as a unit.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Bowling Green P Joseph Davidson ranks fourth nationally, averaging 48 yards per attempt this season.

2. Memphis announced senior LB Jackson Dillon will miss the rest of the season as he continues to recover from a series of procedures on his right knee.

3. Freshman RB Patrick Taylor Jr. has taken over the leading role in the Tigers' rushing attack with senior Sam Craft (hamstring) sidelined, pacing the team with 174 yards on 20 carries.

PREDICTION: Memphis 45, Bowling Green 14