Who could Memphis schedule if Missouri opts out of its 2023 game?
Memphis football is facing another schedule dilemma in the 2023 season should Missouri follow through on its interest in buying its way out of their matchup on Sept. 23.
Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch said the schools have been in contact for months about what to do with the game. Should Missouri pull out, the school owes Memphis a cancellation penalty of $250,000.
Memphis would be left with only 11 games on its 2023 schedule, so the Tigers are scrambling to find a backup opponent for a potential open date. They added Bethune-cookman for their home opener to replace North Texas, which is joining the AAC and could become a conference game for Memphis.
Most schools aren’t available to schedule a game on short notice since schedules are arranged years in advance. That said, there are a few options for Memphis to consider. Here are schools that currently have less than a full 2023 schedule and share an open Sept. 23 date with the Tigers, according to the website Fbschedules.com.
Baylor
The Bears have one non-conference spot opening for 2023. The Tigers are already familiar with traveling to Texas for recruiting and for American Athletic Conference games. It might work even though the teams have never faced each other.
It would give Memphis a Power Five opponent that would add some juice on the schedule. Baylor has been a Top 25 team the past two seasons and would likely bring a ranked team to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The only problem: Would the Bears even care about talking with Memphis?
Georgia Tech
Memphis and Georgia Tech met three times between 1980-82 with the Yellow Jackets winning twice. The Tigers have also recruited Georgia more under coach Ryan Silverfield with six players signed in the past two cycles and four current commitments.
This could be a matchup that opens communication to the ACC given how conference realignment remains the elephant looming over the sport. However, Georgia Tech might have other pressing concerns after firing both coach Geoff Collins and athletic director Todd Stansbury.
Pitt
Pitt has one AAC opponent on its 2023 schedule in Cincinnati. Memphis could try to give the Panthers a second AAC opponent. Just like Baylor, Memphis and Pitt have never played.
Similar as the scenario for Georgia Tech, the Tigers could use this matchup to make inroads with the ACC for hopes of conference realignment. Pitt carries buzz as the 2021 ACC champion, and Memphis could promote three former players — Arthur Maulet, Calvin Austin III and Anthony Miller — currently with the Steelers. It’s another longshot, but why not?
Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina has been among the most successful Group of Five programs since the start of 2020 season. The Chanticleers have consecutive 11-win seasons and are 4-0 to start this season.
The Tigers might not want to help a rising program, but it’d be an attractive matchup. Coastal Carolina has a highpowered offense that might remind Tigers fans of their 2017-19 era, and Memphis could gear up to show the Chanticleers why the Tigers were once the hot Group of Five program.
BYU
Yes, Memphis is already facing one Mountain West team in 2023 with Boise State. Why not make it two with Byu?there’s
also history here with both schools meeting in the 2014 Miami Beach Bowl, where Memphis won in two overtimes. The Tigers typically don’t travel too far west for games, but desperate times means any option is on the table. This game would be just as attractive to fans as Boise State, given both BYU and Memphis have been among the more successful Group of Five programs.
FIU
This makes sense for only one reason: FIU coach Mike Macintyre was the Tigers’ defensive coordinator in 202021. The buildup would be great because Silverfield and Macintyre would likely speak well of their time together in Memphis. As for the game? FIU has won only two games since the end of the 2019 season, and one of them came this season. So if the Tigers want a favorable matchup, this is an option.
Jackson State
Jackson State’s a wild card and might heighten some issues between the school and the Southern Heritage Classic. JSU remains involved in a lawsuit over its decision to leave the game in 2023 and 2024 due to seeking a larger payout from the event. Summit Management Corp, which owns and operates the game, then sued JSU, along with the Southwestern Athletic Conference, for breach of contract.
As messy as that is, Memphis isn’t involved with it. If they’re desperate, they’ll notice JSU brings a great crowd to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.