Memphis Tigers vs. South Florida Bulls: Preview, TV, Kickoff Time, Betting Line

If this one goes as expected the game should be more or less over by halftime. South Florida has underwhelmed this season while Memphis is one of the surprises of college football.

Let's put it this way: USF beat SMU last week by one point.

Start Time: 4 P.M. ET

Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis

Streaming: WatchESPN.com/WatchESPN App

TV: ESPNews

Radio: Memphis. South Florida

Records: Memphis (7-3, 5-1 American Athletic) USF (4-6, 3-3)

Live Stats: Mmmmhmmm

Betting Line: Memphis - 18.5, Over/Under of 46

Memphis Outlook: The Tigers are playing so well that third-year coach Justin Fuente's name may come up after the inevitable round of firings next month.

Just how well is Fuente doing? If Memphis wins this week and beats a 2-7 UConn team in the season finale, it will claim its first conference title in 43 years.

Defense, especially, is a bright spot for Memphis. The team is led by eight senior starters and ranks eight nationally in points allowed at 17.5. It should be an easy road to a fifth straight win at the Liberty Bowl against a weak USF offense.

After handing Tulane its seventh loss last weekend this could also be the second team in a row the Tigers knock out of the postseason.

USF Outlook: When you beat the nation's worst team on a last-minute touchdown, it ain't good.

Remember when this team was ranked No. 2 nationally back in 2007? What happened?

As bad as a 4-6 record looks, USF has actually benefited from a Contour Pillow of a schedule. Their wins came against FCS Western Carolina (36-31), 2-7 UConn (17-14), 2-8 Tulsa (38-30) and the aforementioned SMU Mustangs (14-13).

The Bulls allow just under 28 points and 406 yards a game. Not bad, though again the schedule has been pretty weak. Quarterback Mike White completes just 49.5 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. The running game averages 3.7 yards per carry, led by freshman Marlon Mack's 907 yards.

Prediction: Memphis wins the game easy but 18.5 is way too many points to give up. Run with the Bulls.