The way the remainder of the season will go will probably depend on the outcome of tonight’s 7 p.m. game against Louisville.
Memphis was in a teeter-totter position with a 2-2 record before it played UAB on Sept. 28. The Tigers lost 31-17.
Now, a home loss to Louisville will drop the Tigers to 2-4. The team will play Mississippi State and Cincinnati, both good teams, in its’ next two games. That makes it imperative for Memphis to win and avoid a losing streak.
After the loss in Birmingham, head coach Tommy West said he didn’t motivate his team enough.
“I should have kept hammering home what we were into,” West said.
West recognized the importance of winning tonight and said he would try harder to get them ready for the Liberty Bowl and Louisville.
“You’ve got to be able to defend your home turf,” West said. “We’re not going cowering into it. It’s a big game.”
While Memphis is 2-0 when playing at home, and everyone knows how badly the team needs a win, beating Louisville will not be easy.
The Cardinal team that West is pumping his team up to play is arguably at its season peak after a lack luster start.
The team lost two of its first three games, a five-point loss to a solid Kentucky team and a three-point loss to Colorado State who was ranked No. 25 last week.
After the losses, the Cardinals flew into West Point and manhandled Army 45-14.
On Sept. 26 Louisville handed ninth ranked Florida State its only loss of the season in front of a home crowd.
The Cardinal’s are led by two-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Dave Ragone.
The senior, and probable top 10 NFL draft pick, who is rated the No. 4 quarterback in the nation by The Sporting News and CNNSI.com’s Stewart Mandel, has also gained West’s respect.
West said he respects the entire team, but gave special note to Ragone who is also the teams second leading rusher with an average of 37 yards per game.
“I think he has improved from a year ago,” West said. “He’s got a great arm and great size (6-4, 250). I’ve never seen a quarterback take as many hits in five ball games and he’s all right.
“I’d love for (Louisville) to bring seven or eight players and Ragone not be one of them.”
West said the 2001 AXA Liberty Bowl MVP does more that take hits. Ragone’s versatility in addition to his tough play also impressed West.
“He’s as dangerous going into the pocket and running the ball as he is throwing it,” West said. “I don’t know why he wouldn’t be a Heisman (Award) candidate.”
Ragone, who has already passed for 1,167 yards and seven touchdowns, will throw at a wounded defense tonight. Safety Scott Vogel, outside linbackers “Coot” Terry and Greg Harper and defensive tackle Eric Taylor top a list of injured Tigers.
With the team’s injury status and last week’s performance in mind, West said he thinks Memphis could challenge any team given the right circumstances.
“Somebody might be better than us, but they had better bring their “A” game,” West said. “If they don’t play well we can beat ‘em.”
West thinks the upset could be Louisville.
“I’m sure they watched (the UAB) tape and I’m sure they weren’t overly impressed with it,” West said. “I would love for them not to take us seriously.”
