The college football weekend gets started with three Friday-night games carrying three very different storylines. Memphis is trying to protect its place in the playoff conversation, Washington and Purdue are attempting to gain traction in the Big Ten, and Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina are fighting to remain relevant in the Sun Belt race.
MEMPHIS AT TULANE
7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Memphis enters New Orleans at 5-1 with one of the most balanced and productive offenses in the country. The Tigers are averaging 38.5 points while producing nearly 270 yards through the air and another 247 on the ground.
Tulane is only 2-3, but I would never dismiss the Green Wave at Yulman Stadium—especially against Memphis. Tulane won last year’s meeting 38-32, and the road team has won the last three games in this series. (collegefootballnews.com, cbssports.com, bleachernation.com, underdogdynasty.com)
Tulane’s best chance will be establishing the running game, shortening the contest and keeping that Memphis offense standing on the sideline. If the Green Wave gets caught exchanging touchdowns, I don’t believe it has enough firepower to keep up.
Memphis has more offensive balance, more explosiveness and much more at stake. A convincing victory would keep the Tigers squarely in the race to become the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion.
MY PICK: Memphis 34, Tulane 24
WASHINGTON AT PURDUE
8 p.m. ET | FOX
Both teams enter at 3-3, but they appear to be moving in opposite directions.
Washington has dropped consecutive one-score games, losing 27-24 to Minnesota and 25-21 at USC. The Huskies have been close, but close losses begin piling up when a team cannot finish drives and make winning plays in the fourth quarter. (espn.com, fox.com)
Purdue has suddenly developed some confidence. The Boilermakers have won back-to-back conference games, beating Illinois 24-17 and Minnesota 41-13. Quarterback Ryan Browne has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and only one interception, while running back Fame Ijeboi has given Purdue a physical presence with 549 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. (uwdawgpound.com, purduesports.com)
Washington has the athletes to win this game, but Purdue has momentum, home-field advantage and the more efficient quarterback right now. The Huskies must generate pressure and force Browne into mistakes. If they allow Purdue to remain balanced and stay ahead of the chains, this could become a long night in West Lafayette.
I’m going with the hotter team at home.
MY PICK: Purdue 30, Washington 27
APPALACHIAN STATE AT COASTAL CAROLINA
8 p.m. ET | ESPN2
This may not receive the national attention of the other two games, but it could be the most desperate matchup of the night.
Appalachian State opened the season 3-0 before dropping consecutive games, including an ugly 10-3 home loss to Old Dominion. Coastal Carolina is 2-4 but finally showed some life last week by beating Marshall for its first victory over an FBS opponent under head coach Ryan Beard. (appstatesports.com, collegefootballnews.com, cbssports.com)
This has also become a difficult series for Appalachian State. Coastal Carolina won last year’s meeting 45-37 and has taken four straight from the Mountaineers.
App State has to rediscover its offensive identity. Scoring three points at home is unacceptable for a program that built its reputation on physical football and explosive playmakers. Coastal will try to make the Mountaineers press, create turnovers and allow the home crowd to become a factor.
I don’t completely trust either offense, so this feels like a game that could come down to field position, turnovers and one late possession. Coastal has controlled the recent series, but I believe App State responds with its season beginning to slip away.
MY PICK: Appalachian State 27, Coastal Carolina 24
FINAL WORD
Memphis has the most to gain Friday night. The Tigers cannot afford to stumble against a struggling Tulane team while competing for the Group of Five playoff position.
Purdue has an opportunity to prove its recent improvement is legitimate.
Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina are essentially playing an elimination game in the Sun Belt East.
That is what makes Friday-night college football so entertaining. None of these games will dominate the national conversation going into the weekend—but every one of them matters.
