Arkansas State

Week 4 TAM Football Rankings: Mississippi State remains the best TAM team

September 27, 2012 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

For the second week in a row Mississippi State remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the TAM rankings. They beat up on another Sun Belt team last week to remain undefeated, and have a bye week to prepare for a struggling Kentucky squad. Tennessee and Ole Miss remain two and three respectively thanks to both of them beating up on weak opponents. However, both teams will be tested on the road this week as Tennessee plays No. 5 Georgia while Ole Miss takes on No. 1 Alabama. The wheels continue to fall off the Razorback bandwagon this week, after yet another disappointing performance led to another loss forArkansas. It is no surprise that the team that benefits the most in the rankings from the recent struggles at Arkansas is ArkansasState. The Red Wolves jumped the Razorbacks in the polls this week and are now the best TAM team in Arkansas. Vanderbilt was hammered by Georgia last week, and look to rebound against a Missouri team that is still seeking their first SEC win of the year. MTSU is coming off of a bye week and travels to Georgia Tech for this week’s match up. The last two TAM teams in this week’s rankings are Southern Mississippi and Memphis, both of which are still looking for their first win of the year.

The Mid-South is full of fans with allegiances to different area college football programs. Which FBS program in the three states surrounding the Memphis area is the best? To help end some arguments and start others, every week MemphiSport ranks all the college football teams in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. We call it the TAM Rankings.

1. Mississippi State (4-0): Last week No. 1
Last Game: W 30-10 vs. South Alabama @ Davis Wade Stadium
Next Game: vs. Kentucky @ Commonwealth Stadium
Best Win: 28-10 vs. Auburn @ Davis Wade Stadium
Worst Loss: N/A
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

2. Tennessee (3-1): Last week No. 2
Last Game: W 47-26 Akron @ Neyland Stadium
Next Game: vs. Georgia @ Sanford Stadium
Best Win: 35-21 vs. North Carolina State @ Georgia Dome
Worst Loss: L 37-20 Florida @ Neyland Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

3. Ole Miss (3-1): Last week No. 3
Last Game: W 39-0 Tulane @ Superdome
Next Game: vs. Alabama @ Bryant-Denny Stadium
Best Win: 39-0 Tulane @ Superdome
Worst Loss: L 66-31 Texas @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

4. Arkansas State (2-2): Last week No. 6
Last Game: W 56-0 vs. Alcorn State @ Liberty Bank Stadium
Next Game: vs. Western Kentucky @ Liberty Bank Stadium
Best Win: 33-28 vs. Memphis @ Liberty Bank Stadium
Worst Loss: 57-34 vs. Oregon @ Autzen Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

T5. Vanderbilt (1-3): Last week No. 5
Last Game: L 48-3 Georgia @ Sanford Stadium
Next Game: vs. Missouri @ Faurot Field
Best Win: W 58-0 Presbyterian @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Worst Loss: 48-3 Georgia @ Sanford Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

T5. Arkansas (1-3): Last week No. 4
Last Game: L 35-26 vs. Rutgers @ Razorback Stadium
Next Game: vs. Texas A&M @ Kyle Field
Best Win: 49-24 vs. Jacksonville State @ Little Rock Arkansas
Worst Loss: 52-0 vs. Alabama @ Razorback Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

7. MTSU (2-1): Last week No. 6
Last Game: W 48-30 Memphis @ Liberty Bowl
Next Game: vs. Georgia Tech @ Bobby Dodd Stadium
Best Win: 48-30 Memphis @ Liberty Bowl
Worst Loss: 27-21 vs. McNeese State @ Floyd Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

8. Southern Mississippi (0-3): Last week No. 8
Last Game: L 42-17 vs. Western Kentucky @ Smith Stadium
Next Game: Louisville @ M.M. Roberts Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 42-17 vs. Western Kentucky @ Smith Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

9. Memphis (0-4): Last week No. 9
Last Game: L 38-14 Duke @ Wallace Wade Stadium
Next Game: vs. Rice @ Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 20-17 vs. UT-Martin @ Liberty Bowl
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 2 (Arkansas State and MTSU)

Other college football articles:

CJ Hurt covers college football for MemphiSport. If you think your favorite TAM team is too low (or even too high) in the rankings tweet him @churtj09 and let him know. Also, follow him for live tweets from college football games throughout the Mid-South.

Filed Under: TAM Rankings, The Big Features, Web Exclusives Tagged With: Arkansas football, Arkansas State, Memphis Football, Mississippi State football, MTSU football, Ole Miss Football, Southern Mississippi football, Tennessee football, Vanderbilt football

Week 3 TAM Football Rankings: Another week with another No. 1

September 20, 2012 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

Mississippi State has taken over the No. 1 spot in the TAM rankings for the first time ever. They struggled against Troy State, but found a way to win and remain the last undefeated team in the TAM rankings. Last week’s No.1 team, Tennessee, fell to Florida after another fourth quarter collapse. Ole Miss was also undefeated the first two weeks into the year, but then Texas came to town and handed the Rebels a severe beat down. Speaking of beat downs, what is going on at Arkansas? It is hard to believe the Razorbacks were the consensus No. 1 team in last year’s TAM rankings, and some experts’ pick to win the SEC West this season. They followed up their disappointing week two loss to Louisiana Monroe with an equally bad shut out loss at home to Alabama. Vanderbilt finally won a game, and managed to jump Arkansas State in the polls, beating up on Presbyterian out of the Big South conference. Our two Sun Belt teams are neck in neck in the rankings. MTSU is riding a two game win streak, while Arkansas State lost yet another game to a BCS school. Southern Miss lost to East Carolina and Memphis lost to MTSU to give us two teams still looking for wins this year.

1. Mississippi State (3-0): Last week No. 2
Last Game: W 30-24 vs. Troy @ Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium
Next Game: vs. South Alabama @ Davis Wade Stadium
Best Win: 28-10 vs. Auburn @ Davis Wade Stadium
Worst Loss: N/A
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

2. Tennessee (2-1): Last week No. 1
Last Game: L 37-20 Florida @ Neyland Stadium
Next Game: vs. Akron @ Neyland Stadium
Best Win: 35-21 vs. North Carolina State @ Georgia Dome
Worst Loss: L 37-20 Florida @ Neyland Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

3. Ole Miss (2-1): Last week No. 3
Last Game: L 66-31 Texas @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Next Game: vs. Tulane @ the Superdome
Best Win: 28-10 vs. UTEP @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Worst Loss: L 66-31 Texas @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

4. Arkansas (1-2): Last week No. 4
Last Game: L 52-0 vs. Alabama @ Razorback Stadium
Next Game: vs. Rutgers @ Razorback Stadium
Best Win: 49-24 vs. Jacksonville State @ Little Rock Arkansas
Worst Loss: 52-0 vs. Alabama @ Razorback Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

5. Vanderbilt (1-2): Last week No. 6
Last Game: W 58-0 Presbyterian @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Next Game: vs. Georgia @ Sanford Stadium
Best Win: W 58-0 Presbyterian @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Worst Loss: 23-13 vs. Northwestern @ Ryan Field
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

T6. Arkansas State (1-2): Last week No. 5
Last Game: L 42-13 vs. Nebraska @ Memorial Stadium
Next Game: vs. Alcorn State @ Liberty Bank Stadium
Best Win: 33-28 vs. Memphis @ Liberty Bank Stadium
Worst Loss: 57-34 vs. Oregon @ Autzen Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

T6. MTSU (2-1): Last week No. 7
Last Game: W 48-30 Memphis @ Liberty Bowl
Next Game: vs. Georgia Tech @ Bobby Dodd Stadium
Best Win: 48-30 Memphis @ Liberty Bowl
Worst Loss: 27-21 vs. McNeese State @ Floyd Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

8. Southern Mississippi (0-2): Last week No.7
Last Game: L 24-14 East Carolina @ M.M. Roberts Stadium
Next Game: vs. Western Kentucky @ Smith Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 24-14 East Carolina @ M.M. Roberts Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

9. Memphis (0-3): Last week No. 9
Last Game: L 48-30 MTSU @ Liberty Bowl
Next Game: vs. Duke @ Wallace Wade Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 20-17 vs. UT-Martin @ Liberty Bowl
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 2 (Arkansas State and MTSU)

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Filed Under: TAM Rankings, The Big Features, Web Exclusives Tagged With: 2012 TAM Rankings, Arkansas football, Arkansas State, Memphis Football, Mississippi State football, MTSU football, Ole Miss Football, Southern Mississippi football, Tennessee football, Vanderbilt

Week 1 TAM Football Rankings: Razorbacks start 2012 season at No. 1

September 6, 2012 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

College football made its triumphant return this past week, and along with it is our TAM ranking. Arkansas starts this year where they ended it last year, at No. 1. While both Arkansas State and Southern Miss both fall out of the top three thanks to embarrassing blow out losses to Oregon and Nebraska respectively. Vanderbilt gave South Carolina all they could handle, but came up short in the end. Mississippi State and Ole Miss both man handled FCS opponents, but Memphis and MTSU were both upset by FCS foes. Tennessee had the most impressive win by a TAM team this week with their victory over North Carolina State. Week one is in the books and it is time to unveil the week one TAM rankings.

1. Arkansas (1-0):
Arkansas took care of business against Jacksonville State. Tyler Wilson threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns in the contest. The Razorbacks were wondering who was going to step up in the passing game after they lost some playmakers at receiver. Tight end Chris Gragg filled that void nicely against Jacksonville State. He had seven catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and might be the playmaker Wilson and the Razorbacks need to help the offense out in the passing game. Louisiana Monroe is up next and then Alabama (the No. 1 ranked team in the nation) comes to town.
Last Game: W 49-24 vs. Jacksonville State @ Little Rock Arkansas
Next Game: vs. Louisiana Monroe @ Little Rock Arkansas
Best Win: 49-24 vs. Jacksonville State @ Little Rock Arkansas
Worst Loss: N/A
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

2. Tennessee (1-0):
Are the Vols back? Maybe. Maybe not. Beating North Carolina State is certainly the right step on the road back to national prominence. Tyler Bray was spectacular throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Cordarrelle Patterson’s performance in his first game in a Volunteer uniform was special as he caught six balls for 93 yards and two touchdowns. The defense helped out by forcing four interceptions on the day. Georgia State is next, but all eyes are on their matchup in two weeks with rival Florida.

Last Game: W 35-21 vs. North Carolina State @ Georgia Dome
Next Game: vs. Georgia State @ Neyland Stadium
Best Win: 35-21 vs. North Carolina State @ Georgia Dome
Worst Loss: N/A
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

3. Mississippi State (1-0):
Talk about balanced attacks. The Bulldogs passed for 183 yards and rushed for 194 yards in their first game of the season. They also returned two interceptions, one by Darius Slay and the other by Matthew Wells, for touchdowns. They will need a solid effort if they are going to beat Auburn, and give Dan Mullin his first win over a SEC West opponent not named Ole Miss on Saturday.
Last Game: W 56-9 vs. Jackson State @ Davis Wade Stadium
Next Game: vs. Auburn @ Davis Wade Stadium
Best Win: 56-9 vs. Jackson State @ Davis Wade Stadium
Worst Loss: N/A
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

4. Vanderbilt (0-1):
Vandy gave South Carolina all they could handle in their Thursday night SEC opener, but came up short at the end thanks to a missed pass interference call. Jordan Matthews looked like a star catching 8 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. There is no time for the Commodores to lick their wounds as next up is a trip to Northwestern.
Last Game: L 17-13 vs. South Carolina @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Next Game: vs. Northwestern @ Ryan Field
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 17-13 vs. South Carolina @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

5. Ole Miss (1-0):
Ole Miss trailed 20-14 at halftime, but scored 35 second half points while allowing only seven to get the win over UCA. Bo Wallace accounted for 346 total yards and three touchdowns on 264 yards passing and 82 yards rushing. The Rebels defense looked sloppy in their season opener, and will need to improve on the defensive side of the ball if they are going to compete in the SEC. Up next for Ole Miss is UTEP and then the Texas Longhorns come to town.
Last Game: W 49-27 vs. UCA @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Next Game: vs. UTEP @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Best Win: 49-27 vs. UCA @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Worst Loss: N/A
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

6. Arkansas State (0-1):
It was clear early on that the Red Wolves were going to be no match for Oregon. Arkansas State gave up 29 first quarter points on their way to allowing 50 first half points to the mighty Ducks of Oregon. Luckily for Red Wolves fans Memphis is coming to town this Saturday, so you can expect Arkansas State to get their first win of the year.
Last Game: L 57-34 vs. Oregon @ Autzen Stadium
Next Game: vs. Memphis @ ASU Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 57-34 vs. Oregon @ Autzen Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

7. Southern Mississippi (0-1):
Austin Davis was missed severely in the Golden Eagles loss to Nebraska, as Southern Miss threw for only 75 yards in the game. The Golden Eagles were also dominated on the defensive side of the ball, giving up 632 total yards to the Cornhuskers. Thankfully the Golden Eagles have a bye week to regroup before they begin C-USA play with East Carolina.
Last Game: L 49-20 vs. Nebraska @ Memorial Stadium
Next Game: vs. East Carolina @ M.M. Roberts Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 49-20 vs. Nebraska @ Memorial Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

8. Memphis (0-1):
This is certainly one of the worst losses in the history of the University of Memphis football program. Costly turnovers and inopportune penalties led to the Skyhawks kicking the game winning field goal with just four seconds left. Coach Fuente must get his player to regroup and forget about last week’s blunder if the Tigers are going to be able to avenge the 44 point beat down they took last year in Jonesboro.
Last Game: L 20-17 vs. UT-Martin @ Liberty Bowl
Next Game: vs. Arkansas State @ ASU Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 20-17 vs. UT-Martin @ Liberty Bowl
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

9. MTSU (0-1):
The Blue Raiders were dominated by FCS opponent McNeese State. They trailed 23-6 at the end of the third quarter and allowed 298 rushing yards. Coach Stockstill was on the hot seat before the season started, and the seat has now burned a hole through his pants. MTSU plays Florida Atlantic at home with a chance to save their season and their coaches job, but it might be too little too late for Stockstill.
Last Game: L 27-21 vs. McNeese State @ Floyd Stadium
Next Game: vs. Florida Atlantic @ Floyd Stadium
Best Win: N/A
Worst Loss: 27-21 vs. McNeese State @ Floyd Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: N/A
Losses Against TAMs Teams: N/A

Other college football articles:

CJ Hurt covers college football for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from games.

Filed Under: TAM Rankings, The Big Features, Web Exclusives Tagged With: Arkansas football, Arkansas State, Austin Davis, Bo Wallace, Chris Gragg, Cordarrelle Patterson, Darius Slay, Jordan Matthews, Justin Fuente, Matthew Wells, Memphis Football, Mississippi State football, MTSU football, Nebraska football, North Carolina State football, Ole Miss Football, Oregon Football, Rick Stockstill, Southern Mississippi football, Tennessee football, Tyler Bray, Tyler Wilson, UT Martin Skyhawks, Vanderbilt football

Encouraging and Discouraging things from the Tigers’ blowout loss to the Bulldogs

September 3, 2011 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

Thursday night’s home opener did not go as well as Tiger fans hoped it would. Mississippi State looked seemingly unstoppable at times but Memphis did show spurts of good play. Now that the dust has settled and the emotions of the game have had time to calm down, here are three encouraging and three discouraging signs from the U of M’s 45-point loss to MSU…

3 Encouraging Signs

1) Gibson ran the football like a man

Artaves Gibson saw a lot of playing time and made the most of his opportunity. The 6’ 1’’ 220 lb. freshman made defenders miss in traffic and punished them when he got into space. He had 17 carries for 85 yards and most importantly he took care of the football. With Jerrell Rhodes’ injury and Billy Foster’s ability to politely place the ball on the ground expect this super freshman to get more opportunities to shine.

2) Both Andy Summerlin and Taylor Reed played well

The quarterback position was a major question mark for the Tigers going into opening night and both QBs played on Thursday. Summerlin started and his arm strength and ability to make the necessary throws were all on display. Unfortunately he was not able to make the deep throws because he did not have enough time (see 3 Discouraging Signs). When Reed came into the game Memphis ran more quick routes and used their tailbacks more as safety valves for the true freshman. Reed made some great throws that receivers did not catch (see 3 Discouraging Signs) and some good check downs. Overall both quarterbacks played better than expected.

3) They were playing the No. 20 team in the nation

Yes, Memphis was blown out and it was tough for Memphis fans to watch, but they were playing a team that is bigger, faster, and more athletic than they are. It’s not like they took a whooping from UAB or Tulane, this is the No. 20 ranked team in the nation. The reason why Memphis looked so inferior to Mississippi State was because right now they are inferior. Nothing Memphis could have done would have prevented the beat down that they took. A loss is a loss whether by 1 or 100 and it was not a conference game so Memphis can still compete for a C-USA championship. Everybody needs to take a deep breath and calm down. Now if they lose to Arkansas State, then start panicking.

3 Discouraging Signs

1) The O-line did not give the quarterbacks enough time

Summerlin was under distress the entire time he was in the game. On pass plays you can see him making his reads but by the time he gets to his second read he is running for his life. There were plays during the game where Summerlin did not have time to let the receivers finish running their routes. I know Mississippi State’s D-line is supposed to be good but Memphis made them look phenomenal. Coach Porter is going to have to figure out a way to improve the O-line otherwise it will not matter who the quarterback is because they will be on the ground most of the game.

2) Special teams play was bad (real bad)

With the exception of the two kicks that Paulo Henriques put out of the end zone, Memphis’ special teams were pitiful. Memphis started every drive during the entire 1^st quarter inside their 15 yard line. EVERY SINGLE DRIVE! In contrast Mississippi State started all but one drive (the opening kickoff) in Memphis territory. The punts throughout the game were low line drives and the coverage was slow to cover it allowing Mississippi State to cross into Memphis territory most of the game. Add to it that the kick return team for Memphis was unable to get across the 20 yard line all game and you have an inept special teams unit. Memphis will not win games if the special teams cannot find a way to give Memphis better field position.

3) The defense is giving up too many big plays

The switch to a 3-3-5 is not paying the dividends that Coach Porter thought it would. The safeties gave up entirely too many big plays through the air and once Mississippi States tailback got to the second level nobody was there to tackle them allowing Vick Ballard to score twice on runs more than 40 yards. The linebackers did not shed blocks and the D-line did not get consistent pressure on Relf. On both of the touchdown passes thrown by Relf he had all day to throw and safeties were caught peeking into the backfield allowing wide outs to run right by them. Porter is going to have to find a way to sure up the defense if the Tigers are to stand a chance this season.