Memphis @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2016 ) Houston 44, Memphis 48

A short week will only add to the drama when Memphis visits Houston on Thursday night for a key American Athletic Conference West Division game. The past three meetings have been decided by four points or fewer.

"We know we're going to have a quick turnaround," Memphis coach Mike Norvell told the media Monday. "We've got an abbreviated week (but) our kids are excited about this game because they know what comes with this game." The Tigers can gain the upper hand in the division and become bowl eligible for the fourth straight season -- a program first -- with a win. Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson has 10 touchdowns and no interceptions in his past two games while the Tigers have scored 100 points during that span. The Cougars have won 11 straight conference home games, and six of the past seven against Memphis.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Houston -3

ABOUT MEMPHIS (5-1, 2-1 AAC): Ferguson leads the conference with 1,814 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, including nine TD passes to Anthony Miller (45 catches, 606 yards). Darrell Henderson (542 rushing yards, three TDs) is averaging 8.1 yards per carry to lead the ground game while Tony Pollard (39.3 yards per return) has two kickoff returns for touchdowns this season. Sophomore Austin Hall leads the Tigers with 44 tackles and recorded three of the team's five takeaways (two interceptions, fumble) in last week's victory over Navy.

ABOUT HOUSTON (4-2, 2-1): Quarterback Kyle Postma (805 yards, five interceptions, four touchdowns) has made three straight starts but had three turnovers in Saturday's loss at Tulsa. Steven Dunbar (team-best 40 catches for 462 yards) is coming off his first 100-yard game of the season while Linell Bonner (37 catches, 344 yards, three TDs) had five catches for 44 yards in his return from a concussion. Matthew Adams and D'Juan Hines each have 57 tackles for a defense that has 10 sacks and 12 takeaways.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Memphis has won 11 straight regular-season non-Saturday games, including six on the road.

2. Ferguson and Miller have connected for 22 total touchdown passes, the most among active QB-WR combinations.

3. Houston QB Kyle Allen (771 passing yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions) started the first three games but has not played since being replaced in the fourth quarter of the Texas Tech game Sept. 23.

PREDICTION: Memphis 38, Houston 30