HOUSTON (Interstat) — A clash of American Athletic Conference teams on divergent paths is set for Friday night as the surging Memphis Tigers visit the Rice Owls at Rice Stadium.

The Tigers (7-1) enter the Halloween matchup with momentum, coming off a 34-31 victory over South Florida last Saturday. Quarterback Brendon Lewis powered the offense, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns while adding 35 yards on the ground. Memphis’s only blemish this season was a 31-24 road loss to UAB on Oct. 18.

Rice (4-4), meanwhile, is looking to reach .500 after a 37-34 win over Connecticut. The Owls’ ground game was dominant, with Quinton Jackson rushing for 168 yards and three touchdowns and Chase Jenkins adding 57 rushing yards and a score through the air.

Despite the disparity in records, Rice has been installed as a 13.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 48.5 points. A projection from Interstat, however, forecasts a much tighter contest, predicting a narrow 30-29 victory for Memphis.

The game will be the final October contest for both squads as they head into the stretch run of the conference schedule.