There may not be a team that feels better about their 3-3 record than the Memphis Tigers. Then again, almost by definition, a 3-3 record means your season has had its fair share of ups and downs. For the most part, though, Memphis’ season has been as good or better than expected.
Looking at their schedule in the preseason, fans would have taken a 3-3 start and been incredibly satisfied with it (the Tigers have actually played the 23rd most difficult schedule in the country, according to sports-reference.com). It would not have been completely out of the question, based upon their recent track record, to suggest that the Tiger could have been 1-5 at this point.
With that being said, let’s take a look at how the Tigers have done this season and grade them on it:
Offense: B
Going in to the season, Paxton Lynch was one of the keys, if not the key, to determining how the Tigers’ season would play out, and up to this point, the sophomore quarterback has only had one bad game: Houston. Overall, the offense has played very well led by Lynch who’s thrown for 1,401 yards and nine touchdowns in six games so far this season (he threw nine touchdowns in 12 games as a freshman last year). Also, Lynch has lead the Tigers to score on 26 of their 28 red zones attempts, good for a 92.9 percent scoring mark.
The running game has left a little bit to be desired, but that is not entirely Memphis’ fault. Its sophomore “bell-cow” tailback (if you can call him that) Doroland Dorceus suffered an injury against Ole Miss, and it appears that his season may be over. Dorceus’ injury has forced the Tigers to move sophomore Sam Craft to full time tailback duties while giving senior Brandon Hayes and freshman Jarvis Cooper a portion of the carries. As a unit, Tiger tailbacks have averaged 4.1 yards per carry and scored 15 times on the ground.
Memphis has racked up 2,576 yards of total offense (which includes a game against Ole Miss in which the Tigers only gained 104 total yards), scored 24 offensive touchdowns, out-gained their opponents by a combined 433 yards, and have 26 more first downs than their opponents. Those are some pretty positive stats for a .500 team which is indicative of a team better than its record.
Defense: B+
Justin Fuente is a coach known far more for his offensive background, but ever since he got to Memphis, his defenses have been boarder-line elite, and this season is no exception. With guys like Tank Jakes, Bobby McCain, and Jackson Dillon leading the way, the Tigers have managed to give up just 20.8 points per game despite playing quarterbacks like Brett Hundley, Gunner Kiel, and Bo Wallace.
The Tigers are allowing opposing offenses to run 11.2 fewer plays than their own offense while giving up 4.2 fewer first downs per game. Their defense has also forced 15 turnovers through six games, taking two of those back the other way for touchdowns.
Memphis is averaging giving up 357.2 yards per game, but if you take out its two games against Ole Miss and UCLA, it’s only giving up 294.3 yards per game and just 14.8 points. So against a non-Power Five conference opponent, the Tiger defense has been downright dominant. (They do not see a Power Five conference opponent in the second half of the season.)
Special Teams: C
If Tigers placekicker Jake Elliott was having the type of year he enjoyed last season, then this grade would be much higher, but Elliot has connected on just 6-of-11 field goal attempts after making 16 out of 18 as a freshman. (Weird stat: Opponents have converted on just 2-of-6 field goal attempts).
While the field goal kicking has left much to be desired, seemingly every other aspect of the special teams has been very good for the Tigers. They are averaging 24.4 yards per kickoff return and 10.8 yards per punt return. Their opponents: 18.6 yards per kickoff return and -0.68 per punt return (opponents have generated negative six total yards on nine return attempts).
While the punt coverage team has far exceeded expectations, the punter, himself, has done just an average job so far averaging 38.2 yards per punt (opponents are averaging 38.9 yards per punt).
Coaching: B+
Head coach Justin Fuente and his staff have really done a remarkable job this season with the Tigers. The team has already matched its win total from a season ago, and they have a chance to more than double coach Fuente’s win total as head coach of the Tigers (he had seven wins entering this season, and including a bowl game, the Tigers have an opportunity to win 10 games).
While some have questioned the offensive play-calling at times, Fuente has done a very good job with the talent he has to work with. They have faced teams with far superior talent, and the Tigers have not only stood their ground, but they went the brink with UCLA and took a 7-3 game into the fourth quarter against Ole Miss. A major decision Fuente made last season was starting Lynch over 2013 senior Jacob Karam. Many questioned that decision, but that decision has gained some validity this year.
Defensive coordinator Barry Odom and his staff have done a phenomenal job this season. They have been faced with stopping some of the nation’s best offenses and quarterbacks, and they have given the Tigers a chance to win every game (all three losses were one possession games in the fourth quarter).
Overall: B
If you went up and asked any Memphis fan if they were happy about the way the Tigers’ season has gone so far, the majority of them would tell you absolutely. With the exception of the Houston game, it is difficult to ask for too much more than what this Tiger team has given so far.
Expect for Memphis to build off its first half success while learning from their mistakes and carry that into the second half of the season on its way to its first bowl birth since 2008.
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