Friday September 8 Sheet

UL Monroe at Memphis (-17.5) - 5:00pm Pacific
After 5 consecutive disappointing seasons, Memphis head coach Rip Scherer (18-37 straight up record) was controversially given a contract extension in the offseason. He vowed to personally take over the offense this year and their was reason for optimism as young QB Travis Anglin returns after going 3-1 as a starter in his freshman year to finish the 1999 season. Anglin has explosive speed and a strong arm, but needs to work on his accuracy. He was a little shaky in week 1 vs Miss State, but seems to be on the verge of making big things happen and should settle in nicely this week. Scherer's offense was not impressive vs Miss State, only mustering 3 points, 13 first downs, and 168 total yards. However, they did have their excuses. It should be noted that they were facing a Bulldog defense that was ranked #1 in the nation last year, and although they lost 8 starters, Miss State coach Sherrill says his group this year has even more athleticism than last years. The Bulldog defense looked all the part last Saturday. Also, the Tigers played without starting RB Jeff "Sugar" Sanders (ankle) and starting senior WR Al Sermons (ankle) which did not help their cause. Both are expected to return to action this week vs UL Monroe. Along with senior tight end Billy Kendall (17 game reception streak), there will now be adequate offensive weapons available. Luckily, Scherer was able to hire former Clemson head coach Tommy West as his defensive coordinator this year, and West is lucky too as he inherits 8 returning starters (10 of top 12 tacklers) from last years defense that ranked 11th overall in the nation! They too looked the part on Saturday holding Miss State to just 7 first downs and only 127 yards of total offense. Unfortunately for Memphis, Miss State was able to score all 17 of their points off of 5 turnovers, 3 times taking over inside the 25 yard line. This week, the Memphis offense could not ask for a better shot in the arm than to face the UL Monroe defense. The Indians faced 7 recognizable opponents last year (Minnesota, Arkansas, UAB, Utah, Wyoming, Louisiana Tech, and Tulsa) and gave up on average a whopping 42.5 points and 394 yards in each of the 7 games! Believe it or not they lose 5 of their top 8 tacklers from last years defense including sack leader and defensive MVP Jonathan Foster. Meanwhile, their offense only averaged 11.4 points per game in the above mentioned 7 games (would be even less if not for 37 point burst vs Tulsa in season finale). The offense has to replace a 3 year starter at center (1st team all-Independent), top running back, and 3 of their top 4 receivers from last year. By the way, UL Monroe was outscored 24-0 and held to negative 7 total yards in the 2nd half last Saturday vs Minnesota despite facing primarily reserves in the 4th quarter. Losing two defensive players, SS Derrick McGill (concussion) and DE Corey Conde (high ankle sprain), to injuries last week will not make things any better. Reportedly the Indians were already very thin on the defensive line and will be bringing over a fullback and a walk-on this week to help out. The Memphis offensive line (3 starters, 8 of top 11 returning) is considered to be a strength despite last weeks poor performance, so they should be able to exploit any weakness in the Indians defensive line. Last year, Memphis lost three of its first four games (all to SEC bowl teams) by a heartbreaking combined 7 points! Besides having more first downs and gaining more yardage than Miss State last week, the Tigers were absolutely robbed on a fumble return that would have tied the game at 10-10 in the 4th quarter but instead the Miss State QB was ruled down, a blatant miscall. The Tigers need a win and a confidence booster in the worst way here. There is heavy pressure on Scherer and his offense as fans are demanding the team wins its next three games before visiting Southern Miss. Practice has reportedly been very intense this week. The offensive unit is fed up and eager to quiet the critics. Scherer is 4-2 ATS as a double digit favorite and could easily be 5-1 ATS if not for Arkansas State's fortunate back door cover last year. We see no reason why the hungry Memphis offense will not do everything in its power to run up this score. Meanwhile, the vaunted Memphis defense will be looking for a shutout and along with the special teams unit may add some points of their own. Tigers win easy, cover comfortably. Memphis  1 UNIT

Weekly Recap

We only had one play this week due in part to a lot of injuries and early season uncertainty.  Memphis really dominated in this one, even more than what the 28-0 final score indicates.  The Tigers fumbled inside the 5 yard line twice, AND had two make able field goals blocked or else it would have been a much larger margin.  Nonetheless, it is our third consecutive winning week and another solid start to the college football season.