Tigers Look to Stay Perfect in Battle of the Bones Showdown
The bye week could not have come at a better time for the Memphis Tigers (6-0, 2-0 American). After a dominant first half of the season that saw them climb to No. 1 in the American Conference and into the national playoff conversation, Ryan Silverfield’s group now enters a critical stretch where every mistake is magnified. The road to the College Football Playoff is clearer than ever—but one trap game can erase all that progress.
Their Week 8 opponent, the UAB Blazers (2-4, 0-2), enters this matchup in turmoil after firing head coach Trent Dilfer following a blowout loss to Florida Atlantic. Interim leadership will look to rally the locker room under the “us-against-the-world” mantra, but the challenge couldn’t be more daunting. Memphis hasn’t lost a game since last October and owns one of the most balanced attacks in the nation. With the annual “Battle of the Bones” rivalry trophy on the line, the Tigers return from rest, aiming to stay perfect and extend the nation’s longest active winning streak to 11.
UAB Scouting Report: A Program in Transition
Few programs have endured as much upheaval in a single week as UAB. The Blazers’ 53-33 loss to Florida Atlantic in Week 7 exposed persistent defensive lapses that ultimately cost Dilfer his job. Through six games, UAB ranks 134th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 41.3 points per game. The team has surrendered 30-plus points in every loss this season, struggling to generate turnovers (just three, 129th in the nation) or consistent pressure up front.
Offensively, however, the Blazers remain dangerous. Quarterback Jalen Kitna has quietly put up strong numbers in his first full season as a starter, completing 69.1 percent of his passes for 1,776 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kitna’s rhythm passing and quick release can neutralize a pass rush if given time. His favorite targets, Iverson Hooks (388 yards, 2 TDs) and Solomon Beebe (236 receiving yards, 22 catches), headline a deep skill group.
The ground attack runs through Jevon Jackson, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 388 yards and 3 scores. Jackson’s physical style could test Memphis’s front seven early. Yet, with the defense unable to complement the offense, UAB often finds itself in shootouts—a recipe that favors Memphis’s explosive offense.
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Memphis Offensive Line vs. UAB Front Seven
Memphis’s offensive line has quietly become one of the most reliable units in the American Conference, keeping Brendon Lewis upright while paving the way for a run game averaging over 200 yards per contest. UAB linebacker Devin Hightower (35 tackles, 1 INT) and edge rusher Chris Burge (2.5 sacks) must have career nights to contain Lewis, Sutton Smith, and Greg Desrosiers Jr.. If Memphis’s offensive line can replicate its dominant performance against Tulsa (191 rushing yards, zero sacks allowed), the Blazers won’t be able to keep up.
2. Memphis Secondary vs. Jalen Kitna
Kitna’s precision and comfort in the pocket will be tested by a Memphis defense ranked 11th nationally in takeaways (12). Defensive backs DeMarco Ward (2 INTs) and Chris Bracy will look to bait throws across the middle and force Kitna into mistakes. Memphis’s aggressive 4-2-5 scheme, anchored by linebackers Sam Brumfield and Drue Watts, has allowed just 16.2 points per game—good for top-20 nationally. UAB has turned the ball over eight times already; that trend must reverse for the Blazers to stay competitive.
3. Memphis Receivers vs. UAB Defensive Backs
Cortez Braham (408 yards, 5 TDs) has emerged as Lewis’s top target, but Jamari Hawkins and Marcello Bussey have proven capable secondary options. UAB’s secondary is headlined by Pierre Royster, but the unit has struggled to prevent explosive plays, allowing 12 passing touchdowns in six games. If Lewis can find his rhythm early, expect Memphis to stretch the field and turn this into a track meet by halftime.
X-Factors
Brendon Lewis’s Legs and Leadership
The Colorado/Nevada transfer has been the heartbeat of the offense, accounting for 15 total touchdowns (8 passing, 7 rushing) while maintaining a 68 percent completion rate. Lewis’s mobility is what separates him from his predecessors—he extends drives, escapes pressure, and forces defenses to account for his dual-threat capability. Against a UAB defense giving up over 40 points per game, Lewis should have plenty of opportunities to exploit mismatches.
Greg Desrosiers Jr. and Sutton Smith’s 1-2 Punch
Desrosiers’s power and Smith’s shiftiness complement each other perfectly, creating one of the most balanced backfields in the nation. Both backs average over 6.5 yards per carry and have combined for 10 touchdowns. With UAB’s defense allowing 186 rushing yards per game, expect Memphis to lean on its run game early to set up play-action looks for Lewis and Braham.
UAB’s Response to Adversity
Interim coach staffs often ignite short-term surges — “new voice, fresh energy.” However, UAB faces a team that thrives on momentum and punishes mistakes. The Blazers must play clean football and control time of possession to stay within reach. Any early turnovers could turn this game into another long afternoon in Birmingham.
Score Prediction: Memphis 42, UAB 20
History tells us that teams often rally for a week after a coaching change—but the gap between these programs is too wide. Memphis enters well-rested, focused, and hungry to maintain its playoff trajectory. Expect the Tigers to set the tone early on the ground before Lewis opens things up through the air. UAB’s offense has enough firepower to score in spurts, but its defense won’t withstand Memphis’s tempo and balance.
A comfortable road win keeps the Tigers undefeated heading into Week 9 — and brings them one step closer to a conference title and Group of Five playoff berth.
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