2018 Season Preview: Memphis Tigers

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We’ve gone team-by-team through the SEC in preparation of the upcoming football season, so now we’re going to shift our focus to a couple of the other teams in Tennessee. Up first, I’ll offer up my 2018 Memphis preview. Only a few days away until the season kicks off! LFG!

2018 Memphis Preview

The Memphis Tigers came incredibly close to ending all of this National Championship nonsense with UCF. It took double overtime for the Golden Knights to win the AAC Championship, 62-55. But, alas, here we are….in August 2018….still hearing stuff about the “defending National Champions,” UCF. Regardless, the gap atop the American Athletic Conference is going to be even closer this year. Mike Norvell still has quite the offense.

While losing Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller will undoubtedly be a blow, there’s still plenty of reason for optimism in Memphis. They’re returning one of the best, most experienced, offensive lines in the country. Stud running back Darrell Henderson, who averaged 8.9 yards per carry in 2017, is poised to become the workhorse. But, that backfield runs three deep with Patrick Taylor and Tony Pollard. Arizona State transfer Brady White inherits the starting quarterback gig, but with such a promising ground attack, probably won’t be asked to do too much to start.

Seven starters return on defense, providing for a more experienced bunch than last year’s squad. But, let’s be real – that defense was gashed quite last season. As long as the Tigers have the offense they have, that’s how they’re going to win games. That said, this should be an improved unit, and if the defensive line can step up in run defense, it should bode well for everyone. NT O’Bryan Goodson should help on that front. They get their leading tackler back in LB Curtis Akins, and T.J. Carter is one of the best cornerbacks in the conference.

2018 Tigers Schedule

Saturday, 9/1: vs. Mercer – Starting the season with a win feels nice, I don’t care who ya are.

Saturday, 9/8: @ Navy – It’s an early road test for White, but the Tigers lean on their superior offensive talent to get this win.

Friday, 9/14: vs. Georgia State – Another team the Tigers are vastly superior to.

Saturday, 9/22: vs. South Alabama – *AHEM* ….and again.

Friday, 9/28: @ Tulane – Tulane’s program is headed in the right direction, but I don’t think they’re ready to challenge Memphis just yet.

Saturday, 10/6: vs. UConn – The Huskies still have a football team? What kind of schedule is this?

Saturday, 10/13: vs. UCF – Ah, the big rematch. Expect another tight one, but this one’s at home and I like the Tigers rushing attack to neutralize McKenzie Milton and keep him off the field. Tigers get their revenge.

Saturday, 10/20: @ Missouri – On the road against a team I picked to be the dark horse of the SEC, I just can’t see a win for Memphis here.

Saturday, 10/27: BYE WEEK

Saturday, 11/3: @ East Carolina – An easy road win to get them back into the swing of things after big games against UCF and Missouri, and the bye week.

Saturday, 11/10: vs. Tulsa – The Golden Hurricane should yet again be among the worst teams in the conference.

Friday, 11/16: @ SMU – The Tigers could slip up against a bowl-contending Mustang team on the road, but I doubt it.

Friday, 11/23: vs. Houston – This sure looks like the de facto AAC West Championship, and while the Cougars are poised to have a good season of their own, I like the Tigers at home.

Prediction

This schedule is among the most favorable that I’ve covered this offseason. Memphis gets UCF and Houston at home this year. Their only real road test comes at Missouri, which is still a game they could win. Would anyone be surprised to see the Tigers become 2018’s UCF? I sure wouldn’t. They have the firepower to win every game, but I think they definitely slip up in Columbia, and then lose one of the three between UCF, Houston, and SMU. This is still a 10-win team that should be competing for a pretty good bowl slot.

Other 2018 Tennessee Previews

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Tennessee Volunteers
Vanderbilt Commodores

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley

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