2024 is set up to be a huge year for Ryan Silverfield’s Memphis Tigers. The evolution of the College Football playoffs to include 12 teams has made the possibility of a first playoff appearance not just a dream but a realistic goal. The Tigers are fresh off a strong 2023 campaign, in which they logged a 10-3 record and boasted the top-scoring offense in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
With key pieces returning on offense and a definitive goal of playoff action in mind, there has never been a more highly anticipated season for the Memphis Tigers. However, several burning questions remain as the season approaches, questions that will ultimately determine whether the Tigers can convert on the pulsating pre-season hype.
Is There a Significant Chance for a Huge Letdown this Season?
Any season that starts with all-time high levels of hype, optimism, and excitement poses a risk of crumbling into a huge letdown. It is the nature of sport that ‘hope’ is the ultimate curse. Whether it is a brutal injury or continued struggles on defense, there is a risk of this ending badly for Memphis. The goal is to make it to the playoffs, but only one team from the Group of Five can make it. That means Memphis must be nearly perfect, and pressure can do strange things to a team.
However, the Tigers have several reasons to feel confident. Firstly, their conference-leading offense is returning. We all know there is no need to wait and see what Seth Henigan, Roc Taylor, and Demeer Blankumsee can do. They will, once again, be one of the best, if not the best, offenses in the whole of the Group of Five. It’s unlike the defense, where new players bring a sense of the unknown. This unit is top-tier and good enough to give it a good go.
Furthermore, those big names on offense are all experienced and battle-tested. If anyone can handle the pressure away at Tulane late in the season, it’s an offensive core of Henigan, Taylor, and Blankumsee. The danger for Memphis is the defense, but several exciting additions suggest that significant improvements will be seen there. Even if the defense stays the same, this reliable offense has the experience and talent to put the team on their back and get the job done.
Is the Tigers’ Defense Good Enough to Compete with the AAC’s Best Offenses?
While the Tigers’ offense is expected to be one of the best in the AAC, the defense remains a question mark. New defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins, who spent the last few seasons operating as the linebackers coach, is tasked with turning around a unit that struggled mightily in 2023. The Tigers allowed 423.2 yards per game last year, which is 114th in the nation, including a very concerning 80 plays of 20-plus yards. That has to change and to address the issue, Silverfield has brought in an exciting array of defensive talent via the transfer portal.
In fact, according to the Tigers’ depth chart on ‘Ourlads,’ 7 of the team’s projected starters will be new faces, with plenty of other new additions populating the backup positions. Elijah Herring is the headline arrival, opting to swap the SEC for the AAC this year after leading the Tennessee Volunteers in tackles in 2023. He was a big signing for Silverfield, forming a formidable alliance with Chandler Martin at the heart of the defense.
Kobee Minor is another big name to join the Tigers, fresh off a season with Indiana, where he earned an honorable All-Big Ten mention. He showed his quality when going up against Marvin Harrison Junior and will combine with Greg Rubin to add some potency to a secondary that has been struggling for years. Kourtlan Marsh, Reggie Grimes, Devin Baldwin, Jayden Flaker, Rodney Dansby, and Matt Hudson are exciting names to watch this year.
The Tigers have addressed the issue by flooding their position groups with new talent. On paper, they are better, but you don’t win games on paper. It may take some time for them to gel together, and there is a chance it never clicks, but you have to feel that this new-look defense will be a significant upgrade and one that can hang with the AAC’s best offenses.
Will Controversy Interfere with the Tigers’ Pursuit of a CFP Berth?
The new playoff rules dictate that the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion will take the 12th playoff spot, regardless of whether they are ranked outside of the top 12. Last year, there was controversy surrounding the College Football Playoffs when the committee denied Florida State one of the four playoff spots despite having a perfect 13-0 record. So, could that same committee shock the nation again and instead offer the final spot up to a traditional, blue-blood program that may have stumbled to three wins?
To be frank, no. At least, it would instantly become a huge scandal if they did. The rules dictate that the Group of Five’s best champion will earn a playoff spot, and there is no going back now. This was included to allow every team to dream of a playoff appearance, and there is no way they would take that away in the first year, no matter which Power 4 team would be missing out.
Will Ryan Silverfield Finally Win Big Games?
We posed this question last season and are now posing it again. Ryan Silverfield has done an admirable job of keeping Memphis competitive, and the 2023 season was the first sign of real life in his team and the potential for promise. The Tigers have struggled to win marquee matchups over Silverfield’s tenure, but they did at least buck one unfortunate trend last year.
That was the trend of painful away losses. Over his first three seasons, Silverfield boasted a horrendous 3-11 record on the road. It was becoming a serious concern for him and team fans until he managed to secure a very timely 5-0 away record in 2023, depending on whether you count the team’s loss to Missouri at a neutral venue as an away fixture or not.
However, that same season also saw losses to Missouri, Tulane, and SMU. There’s no doubt that this is the best roster that Silverfield has put out there as head coach of the Tigers, so it is now or never. In his defense, he has at least won three Bowl Games.
Show Your Support
Show your support for the Memphis Wire on Sports View 360 by exploring and purchasing licensed NCAA fan gear. From stylish Memphis hats, jerseys, and t-shirts to cozy socks and much more, our collection offers a range of options to showcase your team spirit. By purchasing through the text link provided below, you contribute to the funding of the Sports View 360 platform, enabling us to continue providing comprehensive coverage and engaging content. If interested, click the link below and browse our Memphis Tigers fan gear selection. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Memphis Tigers Fan Gear Offers from Fanatics.com
