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

September 27, 2012 by 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.

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

September 20, 2012 by 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.

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 (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)

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: , , , , , , , , ,

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

September 6, 2012 by 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:

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.

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

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Can anyone knock Arkansas out of the No. 1 spot in TAMs Rankings?

November 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The college football season is coming to an end with three weeks left before conference championships begin.  It is going to be a TAM Saturday as six TAM teams will face off in very meaningful games. Arkansas kept their SEC West championship hopes alive by throttling fellow TAM team Tennessee. Southern Mississippi was pushed all the way to the brink of defeat by UCF, before a pass deflection on a two point conversion sealed the win for the Golden Eagles.  Arkansas State is one win away from being crowned Sun Belt champion, with their next game against TAM ranking bottom dweller MTSU. The Bulldogs will try to become bowl eligible this weekend against the best TAM team, Arkansas. Vanderbilt throttled Kentucky over the weekend, and can become bowl eligible with a win over a Tennessee team that is still looking for their first conference win of the season.  Ole Miss continues to spiral out of control in Houston Nutt’s last year.  The Rebels only scored 7 points and were embarrassed at home by Louisiana Tech.  This week’s most disappointing team goes to the worst team in the TAM rankings the Memphis Tigers, who dominated three quarters before surrendering 24 fourth quarter points in a loss to UAB. Without further ado, the TAMs Rankings for the week of November 16, 2011…

Rankings compiled by MemphiSport. Updated every Wednesday.

1.  Arkansas (9-1): Last week No. 1
The Razorbacks won their third game against a TAM teamthis season in convincing fashion, as they dominated Tennessee on Saturday.  Arkansas is now ranked No. 6 in the BCS and still has an outside chance at a SEC championship.  If Arkansas wins out there will be a three way tie at the top of the SEC West and a tie breaker will need to be implemented in order to decide who will represent the West in the SEC championship.  Arkansas plays Mississippi State next and then it is a showdown with the best team in the country and arch rival LSU to possibly determine the SEC West champion.
Last Game: W 49-7 vs. Tennessee @ Razorback Stadium
Next Game:  vs. Mississippi State @ Little Rock Arkansas
Best Win:  42-38 vs. Texas A&M @ Cowboy Stadium
Worst Loss:  38-14 vs. Alabama @ Bryant-Denny Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 2 (Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Tennessee)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 0

2.  Southern Mississippi (9-1):  Last week No. 2
UCF was one two point conversion away from pulling off a huge upset against Southern Miss, but the Golden Eagles found a way to deflect the pass and hold on for the win.  The victory over UCF made Southern Miss the C-USA East champions and they will likely play Houston for the C-USA crown.  Next up is a pitiful UAB team, followed by a game against the worst TAM team Memphis to wrap up the season.
Last Game:  W 30-29 vs. UCF @ M.M. Roberts Stadium
Next Game: vs.  UAB @ Legion Field
Best Win:  30-24 vs. Virginia @ Scott Stadium
Worst Loss:  26-20 vs. Marshall @ Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 0
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 0

3.  Arkansas State (8-2): Last week No. 3
Arkansas State held on Saturday to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette by one point and remain in control of the Sunbelt race.  The Red Wolves are going bowling for the first time since 2005 which has every Arkansas State fan excited.  They get a chance to improve their TAM record this weekend when they play TAM rankings bottom dweller MTSU.   If Arkansas State wins out they will get ten wins for the first time ever which is a major accomplishment for the Red Wolves.  We are beginning to hear whispers about Coach Freeze leaving to coach Ole Miss next year, so it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the off field distraction.
Last Game:  W 30-21 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette @ ASU Stadium
Next Game:  vs. MTSU @ Floyd Stadium
Best Win:  47-3 vs. Memphis @ ASU Stadium
Worst Loss:  26-7 vs. Virginia Tech @ Lane Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 0

4.  Vanderbilt (5-5):  Last week No. 6
Vandy dismantled Ole Miss on Saturday and is just one win away from becoming bowl eligible for just the fifth time in school history.  They will look to become bowl eligible when they travel to Neyland Stadium, and play rival and fellow TAM team Tennessee in what is going to be an intense game on Saturday.  Turnovers will be key as Vanderbilt leads the SEC in takeaways while Tennessee has only turned the ball over 13 times all season.
Last Game:  W 38-8 vs. Kentucky @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Next Game:  vs. Tennessee @ Neyland Stadium
Best Win:  30-8 vs. Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt Stadium
Worst Loss: 34-0 vs. Alabama @ Bryant-Denny Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Ole Miss)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Arkansas)

5.  Mississippi State (5-5):  Last week No. 4
Dan Mullin still has yet to defeat an SEC West foe not named Ole Miss since he has become the Bulldogs head coach.  Alabama absolutely dominated the Bulldogs offense, holding them to only 12 yards rushing and just 131 total yards.  The Bulldogs do not get any relief in the schedule this week when they take on the top TAM team Arkansas.  If Mississippi State loses this week then their game against arch rival Ole Miss will matter even more, since the Bulldogs will need to defeat the Rebels to become bowl eligible.
Last Game: W 24-7 vs. Alabama @ Davis Wade Stadium
Next Game:  vs. Arkansas @ Little Rock Arkansas
Best Win: 59-14 vs. Memphis @ Liberty Bowl
Worst Loss:  24-10 vs. Georgia @ Sanford Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 0

6.  Tennessee (4-6): Last week No. 5
Tennessee still has yet to beat an SEC team and another loss will eliminate the Vols from bowl contention.  Good news for Volunteer fans is the return of sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray, who practiced on Tuesday for the first time since broke his thumb against Georgia on October 8.  However, Bray is still listed as questionable for the Vols matchup against Vanderbilt this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how much playing time Coach Dooley will give him.  The Vols must beat Vanderbilt and Kentucky in order to become bowl eligible.
Last Game:  W 49-7 vs. Tennessee @ Razorback Stadium
Next Game:  vs.  Vanderbilt @ Neyland Stadium
Best Win: 45-23 vs. Cincinnati @ Neyland Stadium
Worst Loss:  37-6 vs. Alabama @ Bryant-Denny Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (MTSU)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Arkansas)

7.  Ole Miss (2-8):  Last week No. 7
Just when you think that the Rebel’s season has hit rock bottom Ole Miss gets a shovel and keeps on digging.  They suffered their fifth straight loss at home against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, and they get the best team in the nation next when LSU comes to town.  To make matters worse Coach Nutt has suspended starting quarterback Randall Mackey and leading rusher Jeff Scott for Saturday’s game.  Their best hope is that LSU decides not to make the trip to Oxford in order to prepare for their contest against Arkansas.
Last Game: L 27-7 vs. Louisiana Tech @ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Next Game: vs. LSU @ Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Best Win:  38-28 vs. Fresno State @ Bulldog Stadium
Worst Loss:  27-7 vs. Louisiana Tech @ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 0
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 2 (Vanderbilt and Arkansas )

8.  MTSU (2-7): Last week No. 8
Logan Kilgore and Jeff Murphy split time under the center, but MTSU still suffered their seventh loss of the season on Saturday.  The Blue Raiders will not be going bowling this year thanks to Saturday’s loss and are now playing for pride the rest of the season.  Good news for MTSU is if they can find a way to win two of their final three games they will likely jump Ole Miss in our TAM rankings.  They play fellow TAM team Arkansas State next in a showdown of the two best Sun Belt teams in the TAM rankings (also the only two Sun Belt teams in the TAM rankings).
Last Game:  L 42-14 vs. Louisiana-Monroe @ Malone Stadium
Next Game:   vs. Arkansas State @ Floyd Stadium
Best Win: 38-31 vs. Memphis @ Johnny Floyd Stadium
Worst Loss:  49-21 vs. Georgia Tech @ Johnny Floyd Stadium
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Memphis)
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 1 (Tennessee)

9.  Memphis (2-6):  Last week No. 9
Memphis held the lead for most of Saturday’s game against UAB and was up 35-17 when the fourth quarter started.  However, by the time the fourth quarter ended the Tigers had surrendered 200 total yards and 24 unanswered fourth quarter points in a losing effort.  They have to forget Saturday’s debacle and get ready for a Marshal team that is still fighting for bowl eligibility.
Last Game: L 41-35 vs. UAB @ Liberty Bowl
Next Game:  vs. Marshall @ Liberty Bowl
Best Win: 33-17 vs. Tulane @ Tulane Stadium
Worst Loss:  41-35 vs. UAB @ Liberty Bowl
Wins Against TAMs Teams: 0
Losses Against TAMs Teams: 3 ( Miss St., Arkansas State, MTSU)

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 TAMs Rankings.

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

 

 

 


 

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