Too many losing records in prep football playoffs
It's time TSSAA. In fact, it's past time. It's time to sit down at the table and have a serious discussion about how many classifications are best for high school football.
Nine is too many. Talk to fans. Talk to coaches. They will tell you that.
Don't want to do that? Take a look at the Tennessee high school football playoff brackets released last week. Here is why: When the playoffs kicked off Friday night across the state there were 49 teams with a losing record.
That includes eight teams that won just two games, one that won one game and one with no wins.
And in Class 1A, defending state champion Greenback had a bye because Region 1-1A had just three teams in its four-team league that were eligible for the playoffs.
That's just watered down postseason play. They aren't must-watch games and I have a feeling you will see that reflected in the gate receipts and lopsided scores.
How did we get here?
A year ago, a third class in Division II was added.
That coincided with a series of TSSAA rules changes that affected private schools participating in Division I and not offering need-based financial aid. The rules changes forced the majority to move to Division II starting last year.
Next year, all private schools will be in Division II due to further bylaws approved by the TSSAA's Legislative Council. In all, about 20 football-playing private schools will have moved to Division II since 2017.
But the TSSAA chose to keep six classifications in Division I despite those schools exiting.
What is the answer?
The TSSAA sets classification every four years. We are in the second year of the current four-year cycle. Nothing drastic is likely to happen until the 20212022 school year. It's just not something the TSSAA will want to tackle midway
ing in 2004, but are 6-1 in November under Norvell.
How will Memphis use Darrell Henderson?
Norvell said he has no plans to limit Henderson after he left the Missouri game with injury. Henderson’s been a full go at practice the last two weeks so keep an eye on how many touches the tailback gets.
Henderson has not touched the ball on offense more than 14 times on the road this year. If he shows no sign of injury, expect him to surpass that number Saturday.
ECU racks up yards, but not points
ECU is ranked No. 60 in the nation in total offense (414.7 yards per game) but it’s a bit misleading. The Pirates have outgained all but one opponent in total yardage but have scored only 16 touchdowns, one more than Henderson has scored by himself.
The Pirates have also turned to true freshman quarterback Holton Ahlers, who will make his second start. He had 475 total yards of offense against UCF two weeks ago and has led ECU in rushing the last five games.
Beware the sack masters
Memphis has struggled with teams that have aggressive defensive fronts and ECU is no different. The Pirates lead the AAC with 25 sacks, with 8.5 coming from defensive end Nate Harvey, and are 45th in the nation in total defense.
The Tigers’ offensive line has given up 10 sacks in its previous two road games. If Memphis wants to have any chance at a balanced offense, it starts with the line needing to have one of its strongest outings.
The Turnover Robe needs to return
In two of its road losses — at Tulane and Missouri — Memphis forced zero turnovers. Saturday presents a prime opportunity to change that.
The Pirates having turned the ball over 15 times. Only UConn, with 17, has more turnovers among AAC teams.