Memphis has started the season on a positive note, maintaining an undefeated record at 3-0. Interestingly, the Tigers kicked off last season in a similar fashion, only to drop their next three games.
Once again, this season presents a critical stretch of games with Missouri, Boise State, and Tulane on the horizon. After a relatively easy slate to start the year, the 2023 Tigers will be defined by their performance in these contests. This stretch of games holds immense significance, not only for this season but also for the program’s future.
Winning Cures All
Interest in the program has waned since Ryan Silverfield assumed the head coach role in December of 2019. Fans are eager to see the Tigers win big games. The next three matchups provide perfect opportunities for just that. Winning two or three of these matchups could be the catalyst to bring more fans back to the Liberty Bowl. These games are especially important for Silverfield, as they could help silence doubts about his qualifications as head coach.
@ Missouri
Missouri is one of the more difficult opponents on Memphis’ schedule. The Tigers out of St. Louis are coming off an impressive win at home over #15 Kansas State, where they kicked a 61-yard field goal to win at the last second.
Junior QB Brady Cook is looking to maintain his strong start to the season, with 732 passing yards and five touchdowns through three weeks. Former five-star receiver Luther Burden III is the most talented player on the roster. The speedy Burden – who has 22 receptions, 327 yards, and three touchdowns – will be a challenging task for the Memphis secondary. Senior RB Cody Schrader is another threat on the Missouri offense, with 51 carries for 280 yards on the young season.
Defensively, Missouri has a strong pairing at cornerback with juniors Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine. The latter projects as a draft prospect in 2023. Ty’Ron Hopper is a standout linebacker, too.
Vs. Boise State
While Boise State is just 1-2 on the young season, Memphis fans shouldn’t overlook the Broncos. They started the year with two tough opponents in Washington, a potential CFP team, and UCF, a fringe top-25 team. They played the Knights close, too, only losing by two on their home turf.
The Broncos have a strong history as a program, and they went 10-4 in 2022 with a Frisco Bowl victory.
Sophomore QB Taylen Green is a dual-threat weapon, with 576 passing yards and 103 rushing yards through three games. Sophomore RB Ashton Jeanty is one of the best players in the Mountain West, and he’s a significant weapon in the passing game. To top it off, the Broncos have a solid WR duo with Eric McAlister and Stefan Cobbs.
Despite being blown out by Washington, Boise State’s defense held an elite offense in UCF to 18 points and slowed North Dakota with six sacks last week.
Vs. Tulane
Tulane came into the year as a top-25 team after an impressive 2022 season. The Green Wave, however, has dealt with some injury issues in 2023, most notably to starting QB Michael Pratt. He’s been out since suffering a knee injury in week one against South Alabama. If Pratt is back on October 13th against Memphis, a challenging matchup is ahead for the Tigers.
One of the biggest goals of the Tulane off-season was to replace the production of star RB Tyjae Spears, and they’ve done so with the young duo of Makhi Hughes and Shaadie Clayton-Johnson. They’ve combined for 325 yards this season. The Green Wave also has two elite threats at receiver, with seniors Lawrence Keys (13 receptions, 268 yards, 1 TD) and Jha’Quan Jackson (9 receptions, 230 yards, 4 TDs).
Patrick Jenkins (3.5 sacks) leads a formidable defensive line unit, while Jesus Machado, Tyler Grubbs, and Corey Platt Jr. are a solid trio at linebacker.
Failing to Perform
Losing all three upcoming matchups could put Silverfield on the hot seat. On the other hand, while winning just one out of three wouldn’t be a disaster, it would serve as a missed opportunity for the program to gain momentum.
And if Memphis hopes to win the AAC and reach their goals this season, a win against Tulane is crucial. A home win against the Green Wave would go a long way for the Tigers in their pursuit of an AAC Championship and an NY6 bowl appearance.
If Memphis hopes their goals in 2023, good performances in this stretch will be critical for the Tigers.
Projections
While Memphis isn’t the favorite in all three upcoming contests, they won’t be heavily unfavored either. The opening line for this weekend’s game against Missouri currently has the Tigers as 6.5-point underdogs. Nevertheless, Memphis won’t be overmatched in any of these matchups, and the roster, talent-wise, should be right on par with their opponents.
Therefore, much of the pressure rests on the coaching staff. Starting the season with three straight wins is promising, but it hasn’t dispelled the doubts that surrounded the team coming into the season. These next three games will serve as a litmus test, where the fan base’s opinions will either be validated, refuted, or find some middle ground. It’s a pivotal juncture for the team and the coaching staff alike.
