A Perfect Ending But Not THE End
The Tigers finish regular season 10–1, undefeated at home
Senior Day is an emotional game day that highlights the young men who are playing their final game on their home field. On Saturday, the Memphis Tigers honored the winningest class of seniors in the history of the program. This group of veterans, including QB Riley Ferguson and WR Anthony Miller, have helped to transform the University of Memphis football program into a household name and a perennial conference contender.
On Saturday, the Tigers faced an inferior East Carolina team, but a conference rival nonetheless. Though they had already clinched a spot in the AAC Championship game, the Tigers had to win to keep their NY6 bowl dreams alive, and they did so in convincing fashion.
Memphis Tigers (9–1) vs East Carolina Pirates (3–8)
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Memphis came out firing on all cylinders and SMASHED the Pirates in the first half, outscoring them 49–0 before the break. According to ESPN Stats and Info this was the largest halftime point differential between any two FBS opponents this season.
Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller hooked up for an 89 yard touchdown on the FIRST PLAY and it was all downhill from there. The offense was on fire and the defense was stellar, forcing multiple interceptions and keeping ECU off the scoreboard until late in the game.
7–0 at Home
When the dust settled, Memphis fans got to see their home team finish a season perfect at home for the first time ever. This season, fans at the Liberty Bowl got to see some incredible moments, including thrilling wins over ranked UCLA and Navy teams.
What Mike Norvell has done as coach this year at Memphis has been unbelievable. If Memphis beats UCF next week, I expect Norvell to get serious consideration for conference and national coach of the year awards. ALL HE DOES IS WIN!
American Conference Championship Game
Saturday, Dec. 2 @ 11am on ABC
Next week the Tigers face off with UCF in Orlando in the conference championship. UCF is the hottest team in the nation with the hottest head coach on the carousel, Scott Frost. UCF is undefeated and Scott Frost is rumored as the top candidate for mega programs like Florida and Nebraska.
It begs the question, can UCF withstand all these distractions this week?
Memphis played UCF in Orlando earlier this year, suffering their only loss of the season, 40–13. That game was a strange anomaly, the only game this season that Memphis did not truly get into an offensive rhythm. Oddly enough, the Tigers did move the ball against UCF (Ferguson, 321 yds passing) but the Tigers were unable to score efficiently and Ferguson did not take care of the ball (3 INTs). I really think this will be a tight, high-scoring game. Whichever team is able to avoid turnovers in the 2nd half should win the game. Memphis wants revenge and I think they win 45–41 next Saturday.
Bowl Predictions
If the Tigers win next Saturday, they will secure the highest ranking among the Group of Five schools, and will earn an invite to the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Jan. 1).
If the Tigers lose, rumor has it that the AutoZone Liberty Bowl will use a flex provision to allow Memphis to play in its hometown bowl game on Dec 30. This would be the first time Memphis would ever play in this bowl and it would be an insane environment for the fans! The Tigers would face a Big12 opponent and would have a huge home field advantage.
