Ahead of the upcoming college football season, Chris Vannini of The Athletic has released his comprehensive ranking of all 138 FBS teams, placing the Memphis Tigers at the 62nd position nationally. This assessment comes after Vannini's previous projection that Memphis would finish fifth within the American Conference. While some observers may hold a more optimistic view of the Tigers, Vannini's cautious stance is understandable given the team's significant overhaul.
Under new head coach Charles Huff, who succeeded Ryan Silverfield after his departure for Arkansas, Memphis has experienced a substantial transformation. Huff has assembled an entirely new coaching staff and integrated over 70 new players into the squad. Despite the influx of talent, predicting the team's cohesion and performance is challenging, especially with two critical non-conference games scheduled within the first three weeks of the season. The team also faces an unresolved quarterback situation, with West Florida transfer Marcus Stokes and South Carolina transfer Air Noland competing for the starting role, a decision Huff indicated would be announced to the team privately before the public reveal on game day.
Vannini's ranking places Memphis between South Florida and West Virginia, and notably, the Tigers are positioned ahead of 18 Power Four programs, including prominent teams like UCF, Cincinnati, and Arkansas. However, they trail other Group of Six teams such as USF, Fresno State, Western Michigan, Tulane, UTSA, UNLV, San Diego State, James Madison, New Mexico, Navy, and Boise State. The Tigers' challenging schedule includes early tests against UNLV at Allegiant Stadium, and later road games against Boise State, whom Vannini selected to represent the Group of Six in the College Football Playoffs, and Navy in Annapolis.
The upcoming season presents a formidable challenge for the Memphis Tigers, but it also offers an invaluable opportunity for the team to demonstrate their capabilities and define their standing within the Group of Six. With a fresh roster and new leadership, every game will be a chance to build chemistry and prove their resilience. The team's journey this season will undoubtedly showcase their commitment and spirit in pursuit of success, inspiring fans with their determination on the field.
