Memphis vs. NC State Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Gasparilla Bowl
The Memphis Tigers will battle the NC State Wolfpack on Friday afternoon in the last bowl game before the Playoff. With Memphis coaching changes and NC State RB's missing out, who will actually be playing in this game? Peter Alexis reviews the transfer portal and opt-outs for Memphis vs. NC State on December 19th in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Peter Alexis - December 19, 2025, 12:10 PM EST
5 Minute ReadMemphis vs. NC State Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Gasparilla Bowl on Friday, December 19th
The Gasparilla Bowl brings together two familiar postseason programs in Tampa as Memphis takes on NC State in a Friday afternoon matchup with real betting intrigue. Memphis enters at 8-4, while NC State sits at 7-5 and is favored by 3.5 points. This game features contrasting paths into bowl season, with Memphis leaning on continuity and experience, while NC State arrives shorthanded on offense and searching for stability.
Memphis is no stranger to this stage. The Tigers have reached a bowl game in 10 of the last 11 seasons and have won four straight bowl games dating back to 2020. That institutional experience matters, especially in a game filled with roster movement and coaching turnover across the sport. While Memphis will be without head coach Ryan Silverfield after his departure for the Arkansas job, this is still a veteran locker room accustomed to navigating bowl season successfully.
NC State’s outlook changed significantly with the opt out of leading rusher Hollywood Smothers. The Wolfpack offense now shifts toward Jayden Scott as the primary ball carrier, while the defense remains a concern against a Memphis offense led by a seasoned dual threat quarterback. With both teams dealing with personnel questions, this matchup shapes up as a test of adaptability, motivation, and execution rather than raw talent alone.
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Memphis vs. NC State Date, Time, and Where to Watch Cure Bowl
- Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Memphis vs. NC State Odds
Gasparilla Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Memphis +3.5 (-110) | NC State -3.5 (-110) |
Memphis ML (+145) | NC State ML (-170) |
Over 56.5 Total Points | Under 56.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Memphis vs. NC State Odds
Memphis vs. NC State Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Memphis Injuries
- RT Travis Burke (stud; missed finale)
- CB Jaidyn Denis (last played in Week 10)
- CB Chauncey Logan (last played in Week 11; hurt most of year)
- QB Brendon Lewis - Probable
Memphis Opt-Outs
- CB Samson Israel (197 snaps)
Memphis Coaching Changes
Head coach Ryan Silverfield left to become the new Arkansas HC. DB coach Reggie Howard will serve as the interim for the bowl game following the hire of new head coach Charles Huff from Southern Miss.
NC State Transfer Portal
- RB Hollywood Smothers
NC State Potential Opt-Outs
- TE Justin Joly
- DT Brandon Cleveland
- CB Devon Marshall
- LT Jacarrius Peak
NC State Injuries
- LG Kamen Smith (last played in Week 12)
- CB Jamel Johnson (last played in Week 12)
- LB Sean Brown (last played in Week 5)
- S Brody Barnhardt (last played in Week 5)
Memphis vs. NC State Odds Breakdown - Gasparilla Bowl
NC State will look to lean on the run game despite losing Smothers, and Jayden Scott has already shown he can handle a full workload. Earlier this season, Scott erupted for 196 rushing yards and a touchdown when thrust into the RB1 role against a top 10 Georgia Tech team. He now draws a much softer matchup against a Memphis defense that has struggled to stop the run, allowing nearly two rushing touchdowns per game on the season. Expect NC State to feed Scott early and often in an effort to control tempo and protect a defense that has been vulnerable all year.
On the other side, Memphis holds a clear advantage through the air. Cortez Braham has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in college football, clearing 40 receiving yards in 9 of his last 10 games while averaging 80.5 yards per game over that span. The matchup only boosts his outlook, as NC State allows 283 passing yards per game and has repeatedly struggled to defend perimeter receivers. Memphis should attack this secondary aggressively, especially if NC State commits extra bodies to stopping the run.
Quarterback play ultimately tilts this matchup toward Memphis. Brendon Lewis brings experience, mobility, and production, throwing for over 2,500 yards with 24 total touchdowns this season. His dual threat ability is particularly dangerous against an NC State defense that ranks below 100th nationally in several key categories. Even without Silverfield on the sideline, Memphis has the offensive firepower and veteran presence to exploit mismatches and keep this game within one score throughout.
Memphis vs. NC State Best Bet
- Pick: Memphis +3.5 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Despite the coaching change, FairPlay AI projects this matchup much closer to a pick’em than a 3.5 point spread. NC State loses a major offensive piece with Smothers, while Memphis brings a veteran quarterback, elite bowl experience, and a clear edge in the passing game. The Tigers have consistently shown up in postseason play, and their offensive profile matches up extremely well against a flawed NC State defense. Taking the points with Memphis is the sharp side in Tampa.
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