Tigers ‘humbled’ at 4-4: Five things to know coming off bye week
At 4-4, Memphis is sitting in a place that’s foreign to almost anybody on the current team.
It’s the first time the Tigers have not had a winning record after eight games since 2013 when the Tigers were 2-6.
“It’s not how we wanted it to work out but it humbled us,” defensive back TJ Carter said. “We can’t look past anybody or underestimate anybody but go back to the basics and work.”
With four regular-season games remaining, things may look bleak for a team once considered a contender for the American Athletic Conference title. But there’s more to be optimistic about as well. Here’s a look at where Memphis stands going into the final third of the regular season:
Darrell Henderson is having an All-America year
A year after Anthony Miller blossomed into an All-American, Henderson is on track to do the same. He leads the nation in rushing yards, yards per carry, all-purpose yards and is tied for the national lead in total touchdowns. It’s no surprise Henderson was named to several midseason All-America teams, including the Associated Press.
Coach Mike Norvell said Henderson is expected to play against East Carolina next Saturday after suffering an injury against Missouri. It’s not only good news for the Tigers, but for fans who can treasure Henderson being on pace for one of the best individual seasons in school history.
The rest of the Tigers’ offense is inconsistent
The Tigers are eighth nationally in total offense and 10th in scoring offense. Damonte Coxie leads the AAC with 663 receiving yards and Brady White is second in the AAC in passing yards (1,966), touchdowns (17) and quarterback rating.
The problem is Memphis’ passing is
putting up the lowest yards per game under Norvell. The Tigers are averaging 256 passing yards this year compared to 304.4 and 335 yards in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Less turnovers, more problems
Memphis has given up 399.9 yards per game, which places them 76th in total defense. That’s the best ranking in the Norvell era, but the problem is the Tigers rank 60th in takeaways created (11) and 66th in turnover margin, both which are the worst of Norvell’s tenure.
Linebacker Bryce Huff is fourth in the AAC with 11 tackles for loss and is the Tigers’ co-leader in sacks with five along with Joseph Dorceus. Yet the bright spots are far and few between for a unit that has regressed in more ways this season.
It’s why these next four games will be critical for defensive coordinator Chris Ball.
A favorable schedule lies ahead
Memphis needs two wins to become bowl eligible and that should happen quickly. Its next two opponents, ECU and Tulsa, are not just a combined 3-11, they haven’t won a conference game.
The Tigers will likely be favored in both games as well as a road date at SMU, which has struggled with quarterback issues. There is a good chance Memphis could be 7-4 heading into the regular-season finale against Houston.
Bowl projections
ESPN and CBS Sports have projected Memphis to play in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22. USA Today is projecting the Tigers to play the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18
The Tigers have history with both games. They lost the 2015 Birmingham Bowl to Auburn and lost in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl in Norvell’s first year.