A look at Memphis-Tulsa
There’s a lot to get to in this week’s Tiger Football Mailbag, as we continue through the second half of the season and the University of Memphis looks to rebound from a loss to Navy.
Thanks, as always, to those of you who contributed this week. Remember that you can submit mailbag questions at any time, either by e-mail (tom.schad@commercialappeal.com) or on Twitter (@Tom_Schad). Please try to include #TigerMail when tweeting a question.
With that said, let’s dive into the questions.
From @ChiefSumerel via Twitter: “are the Tigers equipped to stop Tulsa from rushing for over 100? Can you get Norvell to wear all blue?”
In my mind, this is the key to the game: Can Memphis make Tulsa’s offense one-dimensional? Holding the Golden Hurricane to 100 yards or fewer on the ground is possible, but it’ll be tough. Tulsa has averaged 225.1 rushing yards per game this season and run for more than 300 yards in four games already in 2016. The Tigers have good depth up front and simply need to contain the Golden Hurricane’s running game, even if they are not able to shut it down altogether. As to your second question: Alas, I don’t have control over anyone’s gameday attire but my own.
From @jammaster0824 : “Last yr, Navy loss led to bad stretch. Will Tigers bounce back from last week w/ strong performance against Tulsa?”
All week, Norvell has appeared pleased with how his team’s responded following the Navy game. For what it’s worth, he said Wednesday’s practice was one of the team’s best Wednesday practices of the year. It’s impossible to say how the team will play Saturday, but I haven’t sensed any complacency or change in preparation during practice this week.
From @Rocknsoul1319 : “who do you see taking the mantle of Alan Cross or Moze Frazier as the ‘heart’ or the face of the team?”
This is a great question. I think the answer is in the list of game-by-game captains so far this season. Arthur Maulet has been a captain every week so far, which is symbolic of the leader he’s become as a senior. He’s led by example and encouraged teammates at practice. It’s been cool to see him grow in that department from last year to this year. Jake Elliott has also been a captain every week and though it may seem difficult to lead as a specialist, he’s a guy who definitely has a ton of respect in that locker room. Doroland Dorceus, Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller have all emerged as leaders on offense.
Larry B. via email: “How did 4-3 Air Force, who lost Saturday to 4-4 Hawaii in OT at the Academy, produce a defensive When, where: 7 p.m. Saturday, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium TV, radio: ESPNews; WREC-AM 600, WEGR-FM 102.7 effort that included six sacks, eight tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and that held a Navy team averaging 316.3 yards rushing going into the game, to just 57, on October 1? What defensive strategy did AF use to defeat Navy 28-14, compared to the defensive scheme that the Tigers adopted?”
The answer here is simple: Practice. Air Force had a lot of practice. The Falcons have played Navy in football every year since 1972, so they’ve seen the triple-option a bunch. In fact, they were also a triple-option team until recently. And even now, they still have triple-option plays in their playbook; As of last year, they were running at least 12 versions of it. Memphis, in contrast, has faced it only twice. Those extra repetitions matter.
From @TheLegend186 : “What bowl game do you think the Tigers will be playing in?”
Our good friends at USA Today have Memphis playing North Carolina State in the Military Bowl in their latest bowl projection. ESPN’s Brett McMurphy agrees, while his colleague, Mark Schlabach, projects Memphis to the Boca Raton Bowl. I think those are the two most likely destinations for Memphis, as well. But it depends, of course, how the Tigers finish the season. (And I, for one, am still holding out hope for the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.)
From Barry M. via email: “Tom, with Mike Edwards unfortunately leaving the program how will it affect the DLine? Who will be moved to back up Jonathan Wilson? What is the deal with DT Cortez Crosby this season, is he injured or coach’s decision not to play him? Will Coach Norvell be forced to remove the red-shirt from Freshman John Tate to give depth to the DLine?”
Lots to get to here. Edwards’ decision to retire obviously gives Memphis one fewer talented defensive linemen to work through its rotation up front, but I don’t think it will alter anything drastically. You’ll see the same guys that have been in there the past few weeks. Crosby was dealing with an injury during fall camp and, to my knowledge, has not yet returned. And, at this point, I would be surprised if Tate played this year. I think you’ll simply see guys like Wilson, Ernest Suttles and Jared Gentry play a few more snaps than they would’ve otherwise.