Memphis is just winning

College basketball’s only unbeaten Division I team, Memphis, has had a good run beating up on Conference USA opponents and will attempt to continue that trend today against Texas El Paso at FedEx Forum.

Ranked No. 1 for the first time since 1983, the Tigers are 20-0 overall and have won 29 in a row against Conference USA teams. But the Tigers -- who have won 43 consecutive home games -- have struggled to cover inflated point spreads this season, sporting an 11-7-2 record against the spread. They’re favored by 20 1/2 today.

Only five times has Memphis -- which has been a favorite in every game -- had to cover a point spread less than 10 points this season. It should be noted, however, that after starting out 0-3-1 against the point spread at home this season, Memphis is 6-1 against the spread over its last seven games at FedEx. That’s not good news for the Miners, who are 4-9-1 against the spread in their last 14 road games and 5-12-1 against the spread in their last 18 Conference USA games.

While oddsmakers have enjoyed giving Memphis big points to cover throughout its streak, Drake has quietly been winning for supporters and takes an 18-game winning streak into today’s game at Indiana State. The Bulldogs are 19-1 overall and 13-3 against the spread, including a 5-1 mark over their last six road games against a team with a winning home record. But Indiana State, 10-10 overall and 8-10 against the spread, could be a tough matchup for bettors.

The Sycamores are 4-0 against the spread in their last four home games and are 6-1-1 against the spread in their last eight home games versus a team with a winning road record.

-- Pro football

As if a bettor didn’t have enough options for Sunday’s Super Bowl, here are several individual matchup wagers available at Sportsbetting.com:

Player to throw first touchdown pass: New England’s Tom Brady (-240) or New York Giants Eli Manning (+180); most touchdown passes: Brady (-1.5) or Manning (+1.5); most rushing yards: New England’s Laurence Maroney (-23.5 yards/-115) or New York’s Brandon Jacobs (+23.5 yards/-115); most receiving yards: New England’s Randy Moss (-19.5 yards/+115) or New York’s Plaxico Burress (+19.5 yards/-145).

--

Mixed martial arts

Former World Wresting Entertainment performer Brock Lesnar will climb into the cage to face former Ultimate Fighting heavyweight champion Frank Mir tonight in his UFC debut, and oddsmakers have made Lesnar the favorite.

Lesnar, who defeated South Korean Min Soo Kim in his only MMA fight, is listed at -150 with Mir at +120, according to Bodoglife.com. Mir has a 10-3 MMA record, including 8-3 in the UFC.

--

lonnie.white@latimes.com