FINAL Game forecast · REGULAR week 1

Arkansas StateatMemphis

Sat, Sep. 5 · 7:00 PM ET · Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

Arkansas State24
Memphis42
CALLED

SharpTake projected Memphis at 85%. Memphis won.

ProjectedMemphis by 17.5
ActualMemphis by 18
Difference0.5 pts
Market spreadMemphis -10.5
Vs spreadWINSharpTake Pick: Memphis -10.5

Pregame forecast · published before kickoff and not revised

SharpTake projects Memphis to win.

MemphisProjected winner
85%Win probability
Memphis by 17.5Projected margin

Why SharpTake leans

Why SharpTake leans Memphis

Memphis's down-to-down efficiency is the biggest reason SharpTake favors Memphis. Memphis also has the edge in overall quality and running-game efficiency.

Down-to-down efficiency

Memphis advantage

Overall team quality

Memphis advantage

Running-game efficiency

Memphis advantage

Big-play ability

Slight Memphis advantage

On-field context

Matchup breakdown

These matchup factors describe where the teams differ on the field. They are separate from SharpTake's forecast explanation above.

Memphis run game

EDGE
Memphis offenseArkansas State defense

Memphis gains enough yardage on runs for the down and distance far more often than most FBS teams, while Arkansas State allows enough yardage on runs for the down and distance at a rate near the FBS middle. That comparison favors Memphis.

Rushing Success Rate · 49.5%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Among the strongest FBS results
Rushing Success Rate allowed · 43.4%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Near the FBS middle

Comparison basis · Rushing success rate vs rushing success rate allowed

Memphis disruption vs Arkansas State

EDGE
Arkansas State disruption allowedMemphis disruption created

Arkansas State avoids tackles for loss, passes defensed, and forced fumbles less often than most FBS teams, while Memphis creates tackles for loss, passes defensed, and forced fumbles more often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Memphis.

Havoc Rate allowed · 17.8%Havoc Rate is the share of plays with a tackle for loss, pass defended, or forced fumble.Worse than most FBS teams
Defensive Havoc Rate · 17.4%Havoc Rate is the share of plays with a tackle for loss, pass defended, or forced fumble.Better than most FBS teams

Comparison basis · Havoc allowed vs havoc created

Pass game

NO EDGE
Memphis offenseArkansas State defense

Memphis gains enough yardage on pass plays for the down and distance at a rate near the FBS middle, while Arkansas State allows enough yardage on pass plays for the down and distance more often than most FBS teams. The evidence does not separate the teams enough for an advantage here.

Passing Success Rate · 40.6%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Near the FBS middle
Passing Success Rate allowed · 44.1%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Worse than most FBS teams

Comparison basis · Passing success rate vs passing success rate allowed

Explore

Go deeper

Team reads

Position rooms

Arkansas State position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Memphis position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Coverage and limitations
  • Forecasts are produced only when both teams meet SharpTake's evidence requirements.
  • Player availability, injuries, weather, travel, and rest are not included.
  • Explain factors use completed 2025 team-season evidence. They describe matchup contrasts and are not causal model attribution.
  • Neither team has completed a game this season; the forecast rests on prior-season evidence.

Forecasts are model-based context, not guarantees.

Forecast model · Data cutoff Sep. 5, 2026 · 7:00 PM ET

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