2018 College Football Team Previews: Memphis Tigers

Memphis Tigers
Location: Memphis, TN
Coach: Mike Norvell (18-8) 3rd Season
Stadium: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 58,207)

CSJ Projections:
2nd: AAC (1st West Division)
1st: Tennessee
31st: FBS
32nd: Division I

2017 In A Sentence: The Tigers won the AAC West Division and gave the only undefeated team in Division I football last year in UCF their closest game as it took two overtimes before Memphis fell–the consolation was playing in the Liberty Bowl, which was played at their home stadium but the Tigers fell to Iowa State to close out on a sour note yet finished 10-3 overall.

Biggest Shoes to Fill: QB Riley Ferguson racked up 3,971 passing yards and 36 touchdowns during his senior year and ran for another six scores. He broke several school records and in total in his two-year career, he totaled 7,955 passing yards and 70 touchdowns.

Key Player: RB Darrell Henderson has 1,636 rushing yards on 217 carries with 14 touchdowns from 25 career games. The now-junior has also shown his ability in the pass receiving side with 44 receptions for 463 yards and five more scores. With the loss of Ferguson, the Tigers will look to Henderson as a leader on the offense as the new junior quarterback Brady White acclimates to the starting spot.

Fearless Prediction: Memphis aside from Ferguson and WR Anthony Miller, the rest of the offense is back while the defense, which was very young last year with many freshman and sophomores playing will only get better this year. Houston seems like the highest competition and the Tigers get that game at home this year. Expect Memphis to win the AAC West and may just win the league if all falls right.