5 Things Tiger Fans Can Look Forward To In The Big East

February 8, 2012 by 2 Comments

The move that Memphis Tiger fans have been clamoring for is finally happening.  Today the University of Memphis joined the Big East in all sports starting in 2013.  They are the fourth C-USA team to defect to the new Big East this season (Houston, SMU, and UCF) and they will again be in the same conference as rivals Louisville and Cincinnati.  According to the Commercial Appeal, the University of Memphis will have to pay C-USA $6.6 million with $500,000 in exit fees and the other $6.1 million in a per-school share of television rights revenue.  So the question all Tiger fans are asking themselves is “What do I have to look forward to in the Big East?” Well look no further than here for that answer.

1.  Reuniting with old rivals:
Memphis fans have missed their rivalries with Louisville and Cincinnati the past few years, but they have been reunited and it feels so good.  The Tigers have not played Cincinnati in football since the Bearcats left for the Big East, and the rivalry game with Louisville in football appeared to be over with too.  Memphis did play Louisville in basketball this year, but that was the first time since the Cardinals left for the Big East that these two have meet on the hardwood.  However, now that these old rivals are back expect players, coaches, and fans to be excited about renewing their old hatred for one another.  The Tigers lead the all time series with the Bearcats in football 18-12 while they trail the Cardinals in football 23-19.  Memphis also trails Louisville in basketball 52-34 and they trail the Bearcats too 36-31.  

2.  Better games for fans:
Now that the Tigers have joined the Big East the teams that Memphis will play are going be much more attractive to fans.  Instead of playing their traditional C-USA schedule, which is usually void of any ranked teams (in both basketball and football), the Tigers will get to play a very competitive Big East schedule.  This new schedule will allow for bigger games, more matchups with marquee teams, and more national exposure.  This exposure will help in recruiting, bring in more money, and give the fans some better teams to watch.  Instead of watching Memphis play Rice in football, fans will get to watch Memphis play Boise State. And can you imagine how exciting it will be when UConn or Notre Dame comes to town?  Season ticket sales are sure to increase now that the Tigers are in the Big East.     

3.  No longer need an at large bid to get into a BCS bowl, but increasing their chances of an at large selection in the NCAA basketball tournament:
In college football BCS bowls are where every team wants to be at the end of the season.  And the way it is set up now Memphis needs to go undefeated in conference play and hope that no other non-AQ finishes ranked ahead of them.  However, one loss eliminates you from BCS consideration if you are in a non-AQ conference (i.e. Boise State, Houston, and Southern Mississippi from this season).  Now all the Tigers have to do in football is win the Big East and they get into a BCS bowl, like West Virginia did this past season.  The Mountaineers finished the season ranked behind four non-AQ schools (Boise State, TCU, Houston, and Southern Mississippi), but West Virginia still went to a BCS bowl because of the automatic bid that the Big East has.  When we look at this issue from a basketball stand point we see that the Tigers are also better off.  A 19-12 record in C-USA is not the same as a 19-12 record in the Big East.  If you go 19-12 in the C-USA you have to win the conference tournament to get into the NCAA tournament, but a 19-12 record in Big East play is enough to get you into the big dance on most years.   

4.  More money:
By joining the Big East Memphis has guaranteed a much larger stream of money in the coming years.  BCS bowls bring in millions of dollars for both the participants and their conference, and now Memphis is in a conference that is guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl.  Add to it the fact that the Big East has television contracts with ESPN (basketball and football) and CBS (basketball) and the University of Memphis will be bringing in some much needed revenue.  Also, the Big East is located in some major media markets on the east coast which will add to the university’s revenue stream.      

5.  Easier to recruit:
This perk is more about the football program than the basketball program, but it will help them both tremendously.  Now Coach Fuente can go into top recruits’ houses and tell them that they will get good national exposure and they will have a chance at a BCS bowl.  That is something every recruit wants to hear. No longer will certain SEC schools be able to dismiss Memphis because of their conference affiliation (it almost makes you wonder what is the better job now).   Coach Josh Pastner and the basketball program already get solid top notch recruits now, and the Tigers are not in a major conference.  Imagine how well he will be able to recruit now that Memphis has joined the Big East.  Expect both the basketball and the football programs to begin signing more blue chip recruits now that Memphis has joined the Big East.

 CJ Hurt covers college football for MemphiSport.  Follow him @churtj09 for insightful tweets about college football and tweets that might change your life.  

 

 

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Memphis is the Worst Team in C-USA… Again

November 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Memphis and UAB fought for bragging rights of a different variety when the two teams meet in an epically bad game on Saturday.  This contest was not about the best of the best, but rather the worst of the worst, as this year’s “Battle for the Bones” decided who would be crowned the worst team in C-USA (and possibly the nation).  Both teams lived up to their hype as two of the worst teams in the nation, but in the end it was Memphis that won the unique honor of being labeled the worst team in C-USA.

Memphis dominated the game through the third quarter and took a 17-35 lead going into the fourth.   Then the Tiger defense pulled a Lebron James and forgot there was one more quarter to play.  Maybe they were preoccupied with thoughts of grandeur at the possibility of winning their third game of the season, or maybe they were trying to figure out what they were going to wear to the Lady Tiger’s first round soccer match against UT Martin.  Whatever the case, the Tiger’s allowed UAB to gain 200 total yards in the fourth quarter, and the Blazer’s were able to score 24 unanswered fourth quarter points in route to a 41-35 victory.

Although UAB won the “Battle for the Bottom”, I mean “Battle for the Bones”; they have nothing to be proud of.  The Blazers gave up a staggering 217 rushing yards to a Memphis team that ranks 114th nationally in rushing, averaging about 93 yards per game before this contest.   Let me put this awe inspiring stat into perspective for you.  If you add up the Tiger’s rushing yards from their other five conference games Memphis has an amazing 221 total rushing yards.  UAB almost gave that many yards to Memphis in one game!

These two teams were on the outside looking in when the Big East pillaged C-USA a few years ago.  They both had solid football and good basketball teams, but were unfortunately left out of Big East expansion.  Now, thanks to a decline in the prestige of their respective football programs, no conference in America wants them, except maybe the OVC.

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Big Jack’s Rhymes: Mississippi State 59, Memphis 14

September 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

As I watched the game I said, “Great Caesar’s ghost,
The Tigers football program is toast.”

The offense spent it’s time sputtering and stewing.
I’m not really sure they knew what they were doing.

The defense was worse because, all the while,
The Bulldogs gained about a third of a mile.

Mississippi State, simply put, just had their way
And I’m glad I wasn’t doin’ the play-by-play.

There is an answer out there somewhere, golly gee.
But for heavens sake don’t look at me .

R.C. and the coach are of one accord.
It’s back to that well known drawing board.

There have been a lot of foul ups along the way
So here and now let me say,

Disaster is imminent it’s looming large
So why not try someone else in charge.

If that doesn’t work-from where I sit
The only thing left to do is quit.

 

Written by Jack Eaton on 9/2/11.  “Big” Jack can be heard every Friday at 8am on KWAM 990 alongside former County Commissioner John Willingham. He was recently inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Photo by JD Meredith.

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

September 3, 2011 by 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 1st 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.

 C.J. Hurt covers Tiger football for MemphiSport. You can follow him via Twitter @churtj09.

Photos by JD Meredith.

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Why the Big 12 should add the University of Memphis

September 1, 2011 by 6 Comments

There is going to be a mass scramble of schools that are going to want to fill the void when Texas A&M leaves the Big 12, and it only makes since for Memphis to jump into the fray.  Adding Memphis will allow the Big 12 to expand their market by adding viewers in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.  Now is the time for Memphis to make a compelling case for why they deserve to join the Big 12.

One reason Memphis should join the Big 12 is because they have the facilities to not only compete in the conference, but also make the Big 12 more marketable.  Think about it, how many college basketball players play in a professional arena?  Not many.  FedExForum seats over 18,000 people and when the Memphis Tigers play the stadium is one of the best atmospheres in college basketball.

Also, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium is amongst the best and most recognizable stadiums in all of college football.  Its signature lopsidedness with the southwest side being taller than the northeast side is a uniqueness that not many stadiums offer.  Add to it the over 60,000 fans that the Liberty Memorial Stadium can hold and Memphis football would create an unbelievable atmosphere for the Big 12.

Another reason it makes since for the Big 12 to add Memphis is because Memphis can and will compete with the other teams in the conference in every sport, including basketball and football.  Can you imagine what a basketball program with the recent success Memphis has had can bring to a conference that already has perennial power Kansas?  Kansas vs. Memphis in FedExForum, those games would be epic!  The seeds for such a rivalry were planted in 2008 when the two teams meet in the championship game.

While Memphis football is currently rebuilding, if the Tigers can be placed in a big conference they will quickly get the recruits necessary to compete.  The Mid-South is loaded with football talent causing it to become a recruiting hub for SEC schools (especially LSU, Mississippi St., Ole Miss, and Arkansas).  The schools from major conferences are able to get those players over Memphis because they have more play in a major conference with more exposure while Memphis plays in C-USA and gets virtually no exposure.  However, should Memphis join the Big 12 the playing field will become equal for Memphis as far as recruiting is concerned.   Honestly, what is the difference in Ole Miss, Mississippi St., Arkansas, and Memphis football?  Memphis plays in C-USA and the other three play in the SEC.  With a coach who can recruit like Coach Porter Memphis will be competing for a Big 12 title in a span of one full recruiting class (or four years).

Lastly the University of Memphis fans create one of the best atmospheres in college athletics.  They are passionate, enthusiastic, and will pack stadiums for games which will bring in money for the Big 12 Conference.  Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium may not be packed for games against UCF or East Carolina, but just wait until Mizzo or those Sooners come in for a game.  They will find out real quick how hostile Memphis fans can be.

The University of Memphis is ripe right now and is ready to be picked by a major conference.  If the Big 12 is smart they will add Memphis before other conferences begin to show an interest.

C.J. Hurt covers Memphis Tiger Football for MemphiSport.  Follow him on twitter @churtj09 for live tweets from all Tiger Football home games this season.

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